Reintroduction of Bromus rechingeri within Bromus pectinatus complex (Poaceae: Bromeae) and confirm its presence in Iran

Bromus pectinatus complex, one group of tetraploid species belong to sect. Bromus, are morphologically intermediate between sects. Bromus and Genea. This complex was introduced with six species distributed in middle east country, but because of the overlap of distinguishing characters, its taxa was reduced to four species. Bromus rechingeri Melderis is one of the species that considered as a synonym of B. pulchellus in the process of reducing B. pectinatus complex taxa. This species was introduced in Flora Iranica as endemic of Iran and Afghanistan. In comprehensive global study of Bromus genus, herbarium voucher B. rechingeri TARI ۹۴۶۵ from Zahedan was investigated base on morphological characters and molecular datasets. The voucher specimen was checked by using identification keys. DNA extraction of all specimens was performed using Plant DNA kits. Nuclear ITS and ETS and, plastid matK regions were amplified using specific primer pairs and then, PCR products were sequenced. Our morphological investigation confirmed that the voucher TARI ۹۴۶۵ belongs to B. rechingeri species. Also, the comparison of nuclear and plastid sequences of this specimen with the sequences obtained from B. pulchellus voucher specimens TARI ۴۲۶۷۱ from Zahedan and TARI ۴۲۶۷۱ from Kuhe-Khezr indicated significant genetic differentiation between two species. The result of this study confirms the presence of B. rechingeri as a distinct species belongs to B. pectinatus complex in Iran. Survey of additional specimens identified as B. rechingeri and NGS of the whole plastid genome would be valuable and may provide more information.

کلیدواژه ها:

Bromus rechingeri ، Bromus pectinatus complex ، identification key ، morphological characters ، molecular data