سمانه سادات امامی طباطبائی - PhD Student, Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
مصطفی اسدی - Research Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), P.O. Box ۱۳۱۸۵-۱۱۶, Tehran, Iran
ارنست اسمال - Principal Scientist, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Ottawa, Canada
محمدمهدی دهشیری - Associate Prof., Department of Biology, Boroujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boroujerd, Iran
ایرج مهرگان - Associate Prof., Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (iraj@daad-alumni.de)

Concerning the increasing importance of feeding livestock with valuable fodder, the recent study was focused on characterizing the genetic and morphological diversity in bur clover (Medicago polymorpha) samples collected from different regions of Iran by using morphological traits and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis. A total of ۱۴ populations were collected and evaluated morphologically from three regions of Iran in June ۲۰۱۷. ITS-based phylogenetic analysis was carried out through maximum parsimony and Bayesian. The bur clover samples were morphologically categorized into some taxa related to the areas studied. From our results, a high level of diversity for most morphological characteristics was found among populations. Clustering analysis based on morphological information showed correlation with geographical distribution. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS data showed that, all accessions of M. polymorpha formed a monophyletic clade. The findings suggest the presence of high variation within bur clover samples accessible in different Iranian regions. The utilization of morphological traits coupled with ITS analysis found useful to track the evolution and origin of M. polymorpha in Iran.  

Annual medics, diversity, morphological traits, Phylogenetic analysis, population