Intra- and inter-specific relationships within the Astragalus microcephalus complex (Fabaceae) using RAPD

Fresh leaves of 20 individuals primarily belonging to the Iranian Astragalus microcephalus complex were collected and analysed for RAPD markers. A total of 218 bands from eight out of 30 decamer primers were selected. Data analysis was done using UPGMA clustering method based on Dice coefficient. In addition, a cladistic analysis was performed to reach a better understanding of the relationships within the group. Both methods of data analysis show a very close relationship between A. microcephalus and Astragalus mesoleios and suggest that the two are probably conspecific, a suggestion supported by morphological data. It is also concluded that Astragalus keyserlingii and Astragalus longistylus are not closely related to A. microcephalus. The results show that RAPDs can be used to study of the systematic relationships among closely related species and subspecific taxa.