Infra-specific variation of Acer cappadocicum (Sapindaceae): morphological and molecular approaches

Besides Quercus, Acer L. genus is the largest tree in Northern Hemisphere and consists of about 124–156 species. High morphological molecular variability has led to infra-specific complexity within most species this genus. In Iran, cappadocicum subsp. Gled. distributed eastern western parts Hyrcanian forests. study, three leaf-morphotypes A. were identified during sampling a forest located region, leading obscuring taxonomic situations taxon. Against backdrop, present study was performed clarify intraspecific situation valuable using both macro-/micromorphological approaches. Forty-five plant samples randomly selected nine geographical regions four provinces forests Iran. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) (for eight individuals) inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers 45 used along with epidermal scanning electron micrograph (SEM) leaf epidermis. Considering obtained results, acceptance expected lower taxa ssp. north Iran could not be supported by evidence. Results indicated no correlation between variations leaf-morphology, ISSRs, ITS. However, there are two main clusters ITS without discrete characters showing differentiation region This subspecies compared also other subspecies.