Preliminary Study on the Genetic Diversity of Sicilian Populations of Crataegus azarolus (Rosaceae) and Their Wild Relatives for Conservation and Valorisation Purposes

Sicily, Southern Italy, has important genetic resources for azarole (Crataegus azarolus). The region hosts both spontaneous wild populations and various forms of the genus, some of which belong to well-defined specific or intraspecific taxa, while others are hybrids of unclear origin. Not all wild forms can be considered related to C. azarolus, but those included in the sect. Azaroli and thus C. aronia (= C. azarolus var. aronia), which is widespread in western Sicily, certainly can. All these populations are morphologically distinct but coexist in the same area. This preliminary genetic study aims to establish the genetic relationships between wild populations of Crataegus taxa and azarole (C. azarolus). Furthermore, the research addresses the lack of clear taxonomic information regarding the different phenotypes found in Sicily, including both recognized taxa and those still critically underreported. The study is based on SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) molecular markers, isolated from other Rosaceae species. The findings indicate that at least two groups affiliated with C. azarolus, yet distinct, are present in Sicilian populations. These results could have significant implications for systematics and taxonomy, as well as for conservation and the valorization of plant biodiversity.