STUDIES ON THE SUITABILITY OF RAPD AND ISTR FOR IDENTIFICATION OF PALM SPECIES (ARECACEAE)

66 genotypes of species in 50 palm genera were analysed by RAPD (rando m amplified polymorphic DNA) and ISTR (inverse-sequence tagged repeat analysis). Significant numbers of polymorphic DNA fragments were gener ated by both techniques, which allowed identification of all individua ls. Genetic similarities between the genotypes were established by clu ster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients. Individuals of the same genus always formed clusters, and most of the related spec ies formed subclusters. The systematics of individuals as established by morphological, cytological and ecological considerations, however, could only be partially confirmed by the molecular studies. For the pa lm species considered in this study, RAPD and ISTR represent a powerfu l tool for genotype identification and differentiation, but they may n ot be useful for analysis of genetic relationships above the genus lev el.