Abstract

The interspecific relationships of Lycoris species were studied by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. ITS fragments of 14 species were amplified, sequenced and analysed. The results showed that ITS sequences of 14 species were different from each other and the ITS lengths of 14 species were about 652 bp. The GC content of ITS2 sequences was bigger than that of ITS1. Clustering results based on ITS sequences showed that Lycoris species could be divided into three clades. The classification was basically consistent with those of karyotype and morphology. This paper suggested that the likelihood of hybrid origin of Lycoris species was supported and ITS could be used as a good molecular marker to identify plants of Lycoris.

Key words: Lycoris Hert., internal transcribed spacer (ITS), molecular taxonomy, interspecific relationship.