Genetic diversity among the six varieties of Acacia caven (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae) evaluated at the molecular and phenotypic levels

The existence of six varieties of Acacia caven has been established on the basis of differences in fruit morphology. Taking into account the controversial evidence provided by morphology, molecular markers might be a useful tool for evaluation of genetic differentiation among varieties of A. caven. Given this fact, we conducted a parallel analysis of genetic and phenotypic diversity among and within six varieties of A. caven with the objective of determining whether the varieties described on morphological grounds represent genetically differentiated entities. Distinction of the six varieties was examined using morphological and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. RAPD data were analyzed with basic descriptive genetic statistics, by hierarchical genetic analysis, and by discriminant analysis. Morphological data were studied by means of univariate, multivariate, and discriminant analysis. The results from analysis of variance components for morphological data are in concordance with those from molecular markers, because most of the variance is found within populations. The results, obtained here from molecular markers, support the taxonomic differentiation of the six varieties studied.