Molecular phylogeny of the genus Sanguisorba from Iran: Evidence based on cpDNA and nrDNA sequencing analysis

In this research, the molecular phylogeny of the genus Sanguisorba including two species (S. officinalis and S. minor), and the three subspecies (S. minor subsp. muricata, S. minor subsp. lasiocarpa, and S. minor subsp. minor) were studied from Iran using nrDNA ITS and cpDNA rpl32-trnL(UAG). For this purpose, 26 taxa, comprising four Iranian samples plus 22 previously sequenced data received from GenBank were analyzed. The phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed within Sanguisorba using maximum parsimony and Bayesian analyses. The results of nuclear sequence analysis showed separation of two subfamilies (Agrimoniinae and Sanguisorbinae), monophyly of Sanguisorba, complete separation of S. officinalis (in Sanguisorba clade) from S. minor and the three subspecies (in Poterium clade). Although, the intraspecific relationship remained unresolved, but it was found that, the use of micro- and macromorphological criteria could be used as an important tool in different taxonomic ranks, especially in intraspecific identification. In addition, average sequence divergence, genetic differentiation, morphological, and micromorphological evidence are discussed.