DNA BARCODING OF THE GENUS TULIPA (LILIACEAE) IN KAZAKHSTAN

DNA barcoding is a reliable and effective tool for analyzing genetic and species diversity. Three plastid genetic markers (rbcL, psbA-trnH, matK) and one nuclear marker (ITS) were amplified with universal primers for species diversity and phylogenetic analysis of eight species including T. greigii, T. kaufmanniana, T. turkestanica, T. bifloriformis, T. patens, T. dubia, T. alberti, T. schrenkii across subgenera Tulipa and Eriostemones in Kazakhstan. DNA samples were obtained from fresh leaves of plants collected from various protected areas of Kazakhstan, and subsequently subjected to PCR, sequencing and deep phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian models for calculating posterior probabilities. Phylogenetic trees generated based on data obtained from individual markers accurately divided the samples into clades representing the subgenera Eriostemones and Tulipa. The ITS marker gave the most reliable results, followed by matK and rbcL; psbA-trnH was the least informative. These finding highlight the importance of using DNA-barcoding markers for comprehensive phylogenetic analysis, and contribute to understanding the genetic diversity and conservation of the Tulipa genus in Kazakhstan.