Molecular Characterization of Sicyos Species in Ordu and Giresun Provinces

Sicyos spp. which is invasive weed species in crops, roadside and uncultivated area in the Eastern Black Sea Region. The plant is an invasive weed species that is easily adapted to its environment with its clinging and climber structure and which compete with other plants and suppress on them. In this study, population samples of thirty Sicyos spp. collected from different locations of Ordu and Giresun provinces were determined to be genetic diversity by using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) gene regions. Analyzes were performed by using Neighbour-Joining (NJ), Maximum-Parsimony (MP) and Maximum-Likelihood (ML) algorithm. According to the results, two haplotypes were found. Haplotype-1 and Haplotype-2 were similar 100% S. davilae Rodr.-Arév. & Lira and S. angulatus L., respectively. A genetic relationship was found 68% and 74% (NJ / MP) between the nine samples and Haplotype-1, respectively. Haplotype-2 was similar to six samples at the rate 69%, 80%, 70% (NJ / MP / ML), respectively for phylogenetic relationship. S. davilae Rodr.-Arév. & Lira is a new species for our country flora