LACK OF GENETIC VARIATION IN THE ALIEN SPECIES CLEMATIS TIBETANA (RANUNCULACEAE) IN BULGARIA

Clematis tibetana (Ranunculaceae) has been recently reported as an alien species to the Bulgarian flora. A single small population comprising seven specimens has been recorded in the Black Sea Coast floristic region near Razdelna village, Varna district. Conducting molecular investigation on this alien plant is useful for understanding its ecological and genetic traits, patterns of introduction and spread, as well as for the design and implementation of management strategies. In the present study, we examined the genetic variation within the single C. tibetana population in Bulgaria by Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. No polymorphic bands were detected and all individuals exhibited exactly the same fragment pattern. Most likely, this population originated from an initial parental specimen, as a result of vegetative reproduction.