PCR-RFLP analysis of cpDNA in the genus Abies

We used PCR-RFLP analysis of the chloroplast DNA of the genus Abies (family Pinaceae), to determine if the method could be employed to detect inter-sp ecific variation in this genus and to study how the variation was distribut ed in different regions of the genome. Ten different chloroplast DNA region s, consisting of coding and non-coding DNA sequences, were amplified with s pecific primers in ten different Abies taxa. The amplification products wer e digested with several restriction enzymes. The results showed that the ch loroplast genome is highly variable in mast of the investigated taxa and co ntains multiple variable regions that appear to be distributed throughout t he whole genome. Species-diagnostic markers were found for four of the ten investigated species. Unexpectedly, intra-specific variation was also detec ted in four species. It is likely that further studies, including larger sa mple sizes and/or more powerful methods for the detection of chloroplast DN A variation. will reveal additional variation for this genus.