Molecular and Phytochemical Variability of Endemic Juniperus sabina var. balkanensis from Its Natural Range

Abstract

Juniperus sabina L. var. balkanensis R.P. Adams & Tashev is a recently described endemic variety from the Balkan Peninsula. Its strong sprouting ability and fast vegetative propagation, on one hand, and fragmented distribution, on the other, can lead to lower genetic diversity in local populations and to the differentiation of populations. As there has been no detailed investigation of this variety, we studied Balkan natural populations using phytochemical and molecular markers. Leaf essential oils (EOs) were chosen based on their proven usability in the population studies of Juniperus taxa, while ISSRs (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) have been used due to their high resolution. In addition, since this variety is best described using molecular markers, the chloroplast trnS-trnG region was amplified from individuals from different populations having different chemotypes. Based on the essential oil profile, three chemotypes could be identified with a difference in their distribution. The analysis of molecular variance showed moderate differentiation of populations and regions, attesting to the start of the separation of three regions in the Balkans: west, east and south. The bioclimatic and environmental parameters and sex of the individual did not influence the EO profile, although some of the compounds present in low-to-medium concentrations showed strong correlation with several bioclimatic parameters.