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Tuesday, 15 September 2015

AFLP assessment of the genetic relationships among 12 Thymus taxa occurring in Portugal

Plant Genetic Resources


Short Communication

AFLP assessment of the genetic relationships among 12 Thymus taxa occurring in Portugal

David V. da Silvaa1, João M. Duartea1, Maria G. Miguela1 and José M. Leitãoa1 c1

a1 Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal

Abstract

Thymus is a widely distributed genus in the Mediterranean region with several species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. The genetic relationships among the 12 major Thymus taxa, T. albicans, T. caespititius, T. camphoratus, T. capitellatus, T. carnosus, T.lotocephalus, T. mastichina L. ssp. mastichina, T. pulegioides, T. villosus ssp. lusitanicus, T. villosus ssp. villosus, T. zygis ssp. sylvestris and T. zygis ssp. zygis, which occur in Portugal were assessed by AFLP (Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms) markers. A general agreement was found between the genetic relationships estimated by the AFLP markers and the accepted Thymus taxonomy based on morphological traits and essential oil content. The AFLP markers also supported suggestions for refinement of the taxonomy of this genus.

(Received December 23 2014)
(Revised May 25 2015)
(Accepted June 19 2015)
Key Words:
  • AFLP markers;
  • genetic relationships;
  • molecular taxonomy;
  • Thyme;
  • Thymus

Correspondence
c1 Corresponding author. E-mail: jleitao@ualg.pt