SYSTEMATIC RELATIONSHIPS IN JUNIPERUS BASED ON RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNAS (RAPDS)

44 taxa of Juniperus were analysed using RAPDs, similarity measures an d principal coordinate analyses (PCO). The three sections of Juniperus (sect. Caryocedrus, sect. Juniperus, sect. Sabina) were found to be d istinguished by RAPDs. The genus appears to be naturally divided into three major sections with two series (serrate and smooth leaf margins) in J. sect. Sabina. Additional examinations of specific and infraspec ific taxa confirms earlier taxonomic work based on leaf terpenoids. Co mputer software (PCO3D from R.P.A.) for PCO is introduced for the anal ysis of RAPDs. RAPDs were found to be of taxonomic use ranging from se ctional to varietal levels.