Geographic variation in leaf essential oils and RAPDs of Juniperus polycarpos K. Koch in central Asia

Oxford

2001

609-619

Sonderdruck

12964S

40003138

Variations in the composition of the leaf essential oils and DNAfingerprints (RAPDs) of Juniperus excelsa, J. polycarpos, J. seravschanica, and J. turcomanica were examined. Juniperus procera was also included in the analyses to aid in determining the specific status of J. polycarpos. Based on these analyses, J. polycarpos is recognized as a distinct species from J. excelsa. The common, multi-seeded juniper of central Asia is J. polycarpos. Juniperus seravschanica and J. turcomanica are treated as part of the J. polycarpos complex but are not recognized as formal taxonomic groups at this time. The Balochistan, Pakistan juniper, usually called J. excelsa var. polycarpos or J. macropoda should be referred to as J. polycarpos in the future.Keywords: Juniperus; Cupressaceae; Essential oils; Terpenes; RAPD; DNA fingerprinting; Systematics