ITS sequence analysis and phylogenetic inference in the genus Lens mill

Area of Science:

• Plant genetics
• Molecular evolution
• Phylogenetics

Background:

• The genetic diversity of lentil (Lens culinaris) and its wild relatives is crucial for crop improvement.
• Understanding the evolutionary relationships within the Lens genus aids in identifying valuable genetic resources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze nucleotide sequence variation in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA.
• To investigate the phylogenetic relationships among cultivated lentil and its wild relatives.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and analysis of the ITS region from nuclear ribosomal DNA.
• Sequencing and nucleotide variation analysis.
• Phylogenetic analysis using chickpea as an outgroup.

Main Results:

• Sequence divergence varied significantly among species, from no polymorphism to 14 base substitutions.
• Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the distinctness of L. nigricans and the close relationship between cultivated lentil and L. culinaris subsp. orientalis.
• Two main clusters were identified, with L. nigricans forming one and the remaining taxa forming another.

Conclusions:

• Cultivated lentil is closely related to its wild progenitor, L. culinaris subsp. orientalis.
• L. nigricans is genetically distinct from other studied Lens species.
• The study supports the separation of L. lamottei and L. tomentosus as distinct species within the genus.