A simple, PCR-based method for the identification of Triodanis (Campanulaceae) species and their hybrids
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v19.i2.1398Keywords:
Campanulaceae, genome skimming, interspecific hybridization, PCR, TriodanisAbstract
Triodanis Raf. is a genus of Campanulaceae with some cryptic species that are known to hybridize. Therefore, non-morphological identification methods are instrumental in differentiating species and their interspecific hybrids. Primers were developed from the ITS and ETS regions for 4 sympatric species present in North America to assess their utility in the identification of species, and natural and simulated hybrids by multiplex PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis. We found that these multiplexed PCRs were highly accurate in the identification of the 4 study species as well as natural hybrids. Simulated hybrids (in vitro combinations of total DNA extracts) to confirm co-amplification in multiplexed PCR also showed high rates of amplification but were sensitive to dosage effects of parental DNA. Overall, this study demonstrates a promising method to cheaply and quickly identify large numbers of individuals of most species of Triodanis and could be applied to more species, given sufficient differentiation in target DNA locus and species-specific constancy of targeted variation.
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