Genetic diversity and genetic relationships of Chukrasia spp. (Meliaceae) as revealed by inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers

Abstract

Key message ISSR characterization of Chukrasia populations from the natural range revealed two distinct groups of populations consonant with morphological differentiation. Results suggest the current taxonomic classification of the genus should be reviewed. Abstract There are different views as to whether the genus Chukrasia (Meliaceae) consists of one species, C. tabularis, or two species C. tabularis and C. velutina. Despite a clear pattern of variation in many morphological characteristics such as leaves and bark, some authors regard the latter merely an ecotype of the former in seasonal forest. In the present study, we used ISSR markers to determine the genetic diversity and population structure among 23 Chukrasia subpopulations from across the natural range in Asia. Molecular analysis clearly differentiated two distinct groups of subpopulations, corresponding to the putative species, as well as well-defined subpopulations corresponding to geographic regions within the two groups. The molecular results are in concordance with morphological differentiation and corresponded to the two recognized taxa. The present study suggests that current taxonomic classification of the genus Chukrasia should be reviewed.

Population Structure and Genetic Relationships of Melia Taxa in China Assayed with Sequence-Related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) Markers

“…In comparison with other species in the same family (Meliaceae), Melia had a degree of population differentiation comparable to those in Swietania macrophylla King, Toona ciliate Roemer, and Chukrasia [46][47][48], suggesting a similar reproductive ecology among different genera in Meliaceae. Furthermore, analogous to the genus Melia, the genus Chukrasia had two morphologically distinct groups of populations.…”