SYSTEMATIC RELATIONSHIPS IN JUNIPERUS BASED ON RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNAS (RAPDS)

44 taxa of Juniperus were analysed using RAPDs, similarity measures and principal coordinate analyses (PCO). The three sections of Juniperus (sect. Caryocedrus, sect. Juniperus, sect. Sabina) were found to be distinguished by RAPDs. The genus appears to be naturally divided into three major sections with two series (serrate and smooth leaf margins) in J. sect. Sabina. Additional examinations of specific and infraspecific taxa confirms earlier taxonomic work based on leaf terpenoids. Computer software (PCO3D from R.P.A.) for PCO is introduced for the analysis of RAPDs. RAPDs were found to be of taxonomic use ranging from sectional to varietal levels.