Molecular phylogenetic analysis resolving the taxonomic discrepancies among Salix L. species naturally found in Turkey

Detailed phylogenetic relationships and molecular dating are still quite rare for the complex diverse genus Salix L. Here we focus on taxonomic status phylogeny of twenty-six taxa natu­rally found in Turkey using chloroplast DNA regions (trn T-F, matK, rbcL) to unravel relationship among them. The species was also checked tree constructed with data from Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region nuclear gene, including 158 accessions GenBank 126 newly generated sequences 26 (24 species) naturally Turkey. phyloge­netic analysis sequence both (cpDNA) (nrDNA) enabled a reliable classification at subgeneric level (Salix Vetrix) high posterior probability/ bootstrap values as 1/100. study provides important information placements diverging times S. pentandroides, S.apoda, armenorossica, pseudomedemii, pedicellata subsp. pedicellata, pseudodepressa, amplexicaulis, two subspecies S.triandra, endemic (S. purpurea leucodermis rizeensis) first time. Taxonomically, amplexicaulis rizeensis previously classified under subgenus Vetrix were clustered phylogenetically Salix. Subgenera appears be diverged subg. Eocene (ca. 45.1 Mya) while estimated divergence dated back 23.1 21.65 Mya, respective­ly. However, within subgenera seem around Pliocene period. Molecular between native world mainly associated hierarchy, rather than geographic proximity.