Molecular Characterization of Eight Origanum Species Grown in the Flora of Antalya at the Species, Location and Genotype Level

A total of 63 samples of 8 naturally occurring Origanum species within the flora of Antalya were collected from twenty-one different locations during flowering periods. Taxonomic classification studies were made either at the collected sites or brought to experts for morphological characterization. Healthy and young leaves were collected from single plants and were brought to a laboratory on ice and freeze stored until used. Molecular markers generated by simple sequence repeats (SSRs), also known as microsatellites, were used to characterize 63 samples at the species, location, and genotype levels. Due to limited geographic distribution, samples of Origanum husnucanbaseri were collected from one location, samples of O. bilgeri were collected from 2 locations, while other species were collected from 3 locations. DNA markers generated from 21 primer pairs were analyzed by Nei & Li genetic similarity indices, UPGMA-2000-bootstrap analysis, and principle coordinates analysis. The following conclusions were made: (i) among the 8 species of Origanum naturally occurring in flora of Antalya, the section Majorana contained interspecies hybridization, (ii) the use of markers generated using 21 SSR primer pairs, grouped the species as per their sections and from primitive to advance evolution time, (iii) level of genetic diversity varied between species and locations, (iv) species-specific, location-specific and genotype specific markers were identified some of which are diagnostic type markers. Data and findings of this study strengthen the molecular and taxonomic research in Origanum L.