Geographic variation in the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) of Juniperus phoenicea, J.p. var. canariensis, J.p. subsp eu-mediterranea, and J.p. var. turbinata

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) were analyzed for J. phoenicea var. phoenicea from Spain, J.p. var. canariensis from the Canary Islands, and J.p. subsp. eu-mediterranea from Portugal, and J.p. var. turbinata from Corsica, Greece, and Spain. Juniperus phoenicea was clearly divided into J.p. var. phoenicea and J.p. var. turbinata and affiliated populations. J.p. subsp. mediterranea Lebr. and Thiv. from Portugal was confirmed to be conspecific with J.p. var. turbinata. Thus, by nomenclatural priority, J.p. subsp. mediterranea must be recognized as J.p. var. turbinata (Guss.) Parl. The J.p. var. canariensis from the Canary Islands showed a strong relationship to plants from southern Greece and to J.p. var. turbinata plants. The major trend in the population affinities was east-west (Canary Islands, Portugal, Spain to Greece). The plants from near Delphi, Greece were found to more like var. turbinata whereas, those from near Nea Epidavios, Greece were more like the plants from the Canary Islands. Based on RAPD data and morphological observations, only two infraspecific taxa are recognized: J.p. var. phoenicea and J.p. var. turbinata until additional research is completed in Morocco and Turkey. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.