Morphometric analysis and genetic diversity in Hypericum L. using sequence related amplified polymorphism

There are about 484 species of Hypericum in the Guttiferae family, which includes Hypericoideae. In Iran, species of this genus are mainly found in the north, northwest, and center of the country, and they are key contributors to the floral elements of the Hyrcanian mountains, Irano-Turanian, and Mediterranean regions (such as the Zagros). Medicinal, commercial, and horticultural values are associated with these plants.The genetic diversity was assessed through Sequence-related amplified polymorphism. To uncover genetic diversity and species characteristics in Hypericum species, were studied through a combination of morphological and molecular data. Eighty-five individuals related to 7 Hypericum were collected in 6 provinces. A total of 76 (Number of total loci) (NTL) DNA bands were produced through polymerase chain reaction amplifications (PCR) amplification of seven Hypericum species. These bands were produced with the combinations of 5 selective primers. The total number of amplified fragments ranged from 10 to 20. According to the SRAP (Sequence-related amplified polymorphism) markers analysis, H. perforatum and H. asperulum had the lowest similarity. This study also detected a significant signature of isolation by distance (Mantel test results). Present results showed that sequence-related amplified polymorphism have the potential to identify and decipher genetic affinity in Hypericum species. Current results have implications in biodiversity and conservation programs. Besides this, present results could pave the way for selecting suitable ecotypes for forage and pasture purposes in Iran. Genus Hypericum (Guttiferae, Hypericoideae) is perennial, belonging to the Hypericaceae family, having 484 species in forms of trees, shrubs, and herbs, distributed in 36 taxonomic sections. The genetic diversity was assessed through Sequence-related amplified polymorphism. To uncover genetic diversity and species characteristics in Hypericum species, were studied through  a combination of morphological and molecular data. Eighty-five individuals related to 7 Hypericum were collected in 6 provinces. A total of 76 (Number of total loci) (NTL) DNA bands were produced through polymerase chain reaction amplifications (PCR) amplification of seven Hypericum species. These bands were produced with the combinations of 5 selective primers. The total number of amplified fragments ranged from 10 to 20. According to the SRAP (Sequence-related amplified polymorphism) markers analysis, H. perforatum and H. asperulum had the lowest similarity. This study also detected a significant signature of isolation by distance (Mantel test results). Present results showed that sequence-related amplified polymorphism have the potential to identify and decipher genetic affinity in  Hypericum species. Current results have implications in biodiversity and conservation programs. Besides this, present results could pave the way for selecting suitable ecotypes for forage and pasture purposes in Iran.