Barcoding helps threatened species: the case of Iris marsica (Iridaceae) from the protected areas of the Abruzzo (Central Italy)

Abstract

Aiming at clarifying the discussed distribution of Iris marsica, endemic to central Italy, the authors tested the application of molecular techniques for the correct identification of this taxon, especially towards the similar, non-native I. ×germanica. In fact, it was suspected that their morphological similarity would cause misidentification in the past, causing uncertainty of distributional data and consequently a weakening of conservation measures for I. marsica. After a comparison with the topotypical population of I. marsica, the authors found that DNA barcoding based on plastid sequences and nuclear microsatellites markers represents an effective identification tool, perfectly congruent with the preliminary morphological analyses and the chromosome counts. According to the results and despite some recent indications, I. marsica actually occurs also outside the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise (central Italy), in further protected areas.

Keywords:

• Bearded Irises
• chloroplast DNA
• Iris ×germanica
• microsatellite
• nuclear DNA
• polyploidy
• taxonomy

Acknowledgements

For the field sampling of Iris pseudopumila, I. marsica and I. ×germanica, special thanks to Gianniantonio Domina (University of Palermo, Italy), Adriano Stinca (University of Campania, Italy), Giampiero Ciaschetti, Mirella Di Cecco and Valter Di Cecco (National Park of Majella, Italy). Many thanks are due to the staffs of the National Park of Majella, the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise and the Regional Park of Sirente-Velino for support with field investigations.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The research was funded by EU (LIFE 15 NAT/IT/000946 FLORANET).