Analysis of the genetic diversity of wild, Spanish populations of the species Elymus caninus (L.) Linnaeus and Elymus hispanicus (Boiss.) Talavera by PCR-based markers and endosperm proteins

Abstract

The use of wild species in plant improvement is greatly favored if their genetic variability and taxonomical relationships are known. A study was made of the genetic variability of fifteen Spanish populations of E. caninus and E. hispanicus. The relationships among these species and E. panormitanus were also investigated. Intra- and interpopulational variation was determined by electrophoresis of endosperm proteins. DNA polymorphisms generated by PCR amplification using arbitrary and specific primers were used to determine interpopulational variability and interspecific relationships. The variability observed was similar to that reported for other autogamous species. The reduced variability observed in some populations of E. caninus was attributed to increased distance from the species center of distribution and to the founder effect. Endosperm proteins and random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) provided complementary results and differentiated most populations of E. caninus. The interspecific relationships observed were more in agreement with the classification of E. hispanicus as a different species to E. panormitanus than as a variant form of the same taxon.