Phylogenetic Relationships of Some Ajuga L. Taxa Based on the Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer Region

Abstract

Ajuga L. is represented by 14 species and 27 taxa in the flora of Turkey. Eleven species of Ajuga have been studied for phylogeny based on sequence data of the nuclear ribosomal DNA region ( ITS). According to the findings, morphologically similar species collected in the same group. The polymorphism in sequences of internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2 and 5.8 S rDNA coding region was used to determine relationships among different species of genus Ajuga. The taxonomy of several Ajuga species is need of revision based on the ITS phylogeny. Understanding the phylogenetic relationships among Ajuga species would contribute to the systematics of the genus, comprehension of the origins and evolution of species and sections and the use of species of genus Ajuga.