Molecular Analysis of Intra- and Inter-specific Genetic Diversity in Two Species of Townsendia leptotes and T. incana (Asteraceae)

RAPD analysis was performed in twenty-two plants of T. leptotes and seventeen plants of T. incana to study the intra- and inter-specific genetic diversity and to see if RAPD markers may be of use in delimitation of the species. Hundreds of RAPD primers were used out of which forty produced bands. In total, 104 bands (loci) were identified in T. incana and 71 bands were identified in T. leptotes. In total, 33 polymorphic bands were observed in T. incana, out of which 21 were specific for a single plant while 22 polymorphic bands were observed in T. leptotes plants out of which 10 bands were specific in a single plant. T. leptotes showed a higher mean gene diversity compared to that of T. incana also supported by PCO and PCA ordinations. Statistical analyses showed genetic distinctness of the two species studied and revealed the possible use of RAPD markers in the Townsendia species delimitation.