Abstract

The hybridization ofProsopis burkartii, a critically endangered endemic species, and the identification of its paternal species has not been genetically studied before. In this study we aimed to genetically confirm the origin of this species. To resolve the parental status ofP. burkartii, inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), simple sequence repeats (SSR) and introntrnLmolecular markers were used, and compared with Chilean species from theAlgarobiaandStrombocarpasections. Out of seven ISSRs, a total of 70 polymorphic bands were produced in four species of theStrombocarpasection. An Multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) and Bayasian (STRUCTURE) analysis showed signs of introgression of genetic material inP. burkartii. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis showed three clusters, and placed theP. burkartiicluster nested within theP. tamarugogroup. Sequencing of thetrnLintron showed a fragment of 535 bp and 529 bp in the species of theAlgarobiaandStrombocarpasections, respectively. Using maximum parsimony (MP) and maximum likelihood (ML) trees with thetrnLintron, revealed four clusters. A species-specific diagnostic method was performed, using thetrnLintron Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). This method identified if individuals ofP. burkartiiinherited their maternal DNA fromP. tamarugoor fromP. strombulifera. We deduced thatP. tamarugoandP. strombuliferaare involved in the formation ofP. burkartii.