Genetic differentiation of two distinct chemotypes of Ferula communis (Apiaceae) in Sardinia (Italy)

MARCHI, ANNALISA;APPENDINO G;PIRISI I;BALLERO, MAURO;LOI, MARIA CECILIA

2003-01-01

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Abstract

The giant fennel, Ferula communis L. (Apiaceae) is a circum-Mediterranean species responsible of severe haemorrhagic intoxication of livestock. Electrophoretic analysis of 14 putative enzyme loci was carried out to assess genetic differentiation among poisonous and non-poisonous chemotypes of F. communis in Sardinia. Genetic structuring characterises all the five populations examined. However, differentiation was higher between poisonous and nonpoisonous populations (P < 0.00001), and was independent from geographic distances, suggesting a reduced gene flow between the two chemotypes. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.