Martyniuk V. Molecular annotation of rare Sileneae DC. species in the Ukrainian flora

Many Ukrainian rare species, including ones from Sileneae DC. tribe, have controversial taxonomic status and are considered as junior synonyms to morphologically similar, but widespread species. In many cases, a broad understanding of taxa could be explained by the complete absence of molecular data on rare Ukrainian species. Such treatment sometimes leads to their exclusion from conservation lists. The thesis is devoted to the molecular analysis of nine rare Sileneae DC. taxa of the Ukrainian flora and to the ascertainment of their taxonomical status. 19 ITS1-5,8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences for 17 taxa of Sileneae tribe were obtained, for seven taxa – for the first time. Critical analysis of the tribe system with the use of molecular phylogenetic approach was carried out. Using molecular markers ITS1 and ITS2, molecular annotations of rare species were conducted, secondary structure models were reconstructed and compared to ones of the related taxa. Particular attention is paid to species with controversial taxonomic status – Atocion hypanicum (Klok.) Tzvel., A. lithuanicum (Zapał.) Tzvel., Silene sytnikii Krytzka, Novosad et Protopopova, and S. syreistschikowii P. Smirn. Besides molecular genetic data, micromorphological traits of pollen grains, seeds, and leaf surface structure were studied for these controversial taxa using light and scanning electron microscopy in comparison with closely related species.