Biogeographic pattern of genetic diversity detected by RAPD and ISSR analysis in Gypsophila (Caryophyllaceae) species from Turkey

Gypsophila L. is the 3rd-largest genus of Caryophyllaceae in Turkey, a country that includes 60 taxa belonging to 56 species of the 126 recognized in the genus. A total of 35 taxa are endemic to Turkey, with an approximately 60% endemism ratio. In this study, the genetic diversity of 14 Gypsophila species from Turkey was analyzed using random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Sixteen RAPD and 6 ISSR primers produced 132 polymorphic bands. RAPD, ISSR, and RAPD + ISSR primers for the 14 species showed 92.7, 93.8, and 92.9% polymorphism, respectively. Our results indicate that RAPD and ISSR markers are reliable and effective for assessing the genetic diversity of Gypsophila species. Gypsophila species studied were separated into 2 clusters. Our analysis shows that the clusters correlated with geographic and phytogeographic regions.