Electrophoresis characterization of Turnera sidoides L. (Passifloraceae: Turneroideae) seed storage proteins and its systematic implications

Abstract

Twenty-four populations of Turnera sidoides were analysed, using seed storage protein fingerprinting techniques, including 19 populations of Turnera spp. and three of Piriqueta spp. for comparative purposes. The aim was to characterize the T. sidoides complex and to evaluate its profiles as a character to clarify its taxonomic position, as well as its evolutionary relationships within the genus Turnera. The present work is the first comparative study of the seed protein fingerprint in Turneroideae. The results proved that seed proteins are useful characters to discriminate between genus and species, as well as to characterize them. The finding of exclusive bands in Turnera and Piriqueta are evidence for the existence of genetic differences between genera, and support their taxonomic identity. Our results are in agreement with evolutionary tendencies of karyotype proposed for Turnera, and support the close relationships between species belonging to the same series, except T. sidoides, which should be singled out of Leiocarpae, supporting the proposal of its inclusion in an independent series.