Systematics of smooth leaf margin Juniperus of the western hemisphere based on leaf essential oils and RAPD DNA fingerprinting

The composition of the leaf essential oils of 13 taxa of the smooth leaf ma rgin Juniperus in sect. Sabina from the western hemisphere are reported and compared, In addition, DNA fingerprinting revealed similar patterns among these species. Based on these data, a new species, very similar to J. blanc oi and J. scopulorum, is recognized from northern Mexico: Juniperus mucrona ta sp. nov. R.P. Adams. Although the terpenes and morphology support the re cognition of J. barbadensis var. lucayana (see Adams, R.P., 1995a, Revision ary study of Caribbean species of Juniperus (Cupressaceae). Phytologia, 78, 134-150), the RAPDs do not favor that alignment. Therefore, J. J. lucayana will be recognized as a distinct species at present. The recognition of J. ekmanii and J. urbaniana as varieties of J. gracilor is supported by the R APDs data and these varieties will be maintained in the treatment of Junipe rus. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.