Genetic variation in Spanish populations of the genus Aegilops revealed by RAPDs

Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyse genetic variability and relationships in wild species of the genus Aegilops. Fifty natural populations, which included the species Aegilops biuncialis (UUMM), Ae. neglecta (UUMMNN), Ae. ovata (UUMM), Ae. ventricosa (DDNN) and Ae. triuncialis (UUCC) were selected. These populations are widely distributed in the Iberian peninsula and Balearic islands. Twenty primers were used to generate DNA amplification data. Genetic relationships were established by correspondence analysis. In the resulting dendrogram, Ae. ventricosa appears to be segregated from the other species, probably owing to the influence of the D genome. Ae. biuncialis and Ae. ovata are clearly separated suggesting that the superindex system should be used to differentiate the M genomes of both species. The separation of the M and N genomes was also confirmed, as was the proximity of N to U and C to M. In addition, correlation was found between RAPD markers and ecogeographical factors.