ABSTRACT The taxonomic identity of Mentha species is difficult as it displays variations at morphochemical characters. The aim of this investigation was to study Mentha spp. diversity in 60 Tunisian accessions using morphological traits and molecular markers. Thirty-three botanical descriptors were analysed. The numerical taxonomic analysis identified 58 accessions and defined seven taxonomic groups including M. aquatica, M. longifolia, M. piperita, M. pulegium, M. rotundifolia, M. spicata and M. spicata var. crispa ‘moroccan’. Thereafter, genetic diversity of these accessions was investigated using ISSR markers. Nine highly polymorphic ISSR primers were selected to amplify DNA of each accession. Based on UPGMA method, these accessions could be grouped into two major clusters. M. pulegium group occupied a relatively basal position in the dendrogram and formed a single cluster. The second large cluster contained the accessions of the section Mentha, clustered into five subgroups. Molecular separation of the Mentha suggested that hybridisation among species may result in convergence and/or divergence of different species. Our study has shown (1) a high morphological and molecular diversity in the Tunisian accessions and (2) that combining morphological and molecular data is crucial to a proper identification, allowing the correct use of these accessions in future breeding programmes.

中文翻译：

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评估薄荷属植物集合的遗传多样性和关系。在突尼斯使用形态特征和 ISSR 标记

摘要 薄荷属的分类身份是困难的，因为它在形态化学特征上表现出变化。本次调查的目的是研究 Mentha spp。使用形态特征和分子标记分析 60 个突尼斯种质的多样性。分析了三十三个植物描述词。数值分类分析确定了 58 个种质并定义了 7 个分类组，包括 M.aquatica、M. longifolia、M. piperita、M. pulegium、M. rotundifolia、M. spicata 和 M. spicata var。脆饼'摩洛哥'。此后，使用 ISSR 标记研究了这些种质的遗传多样性。选择九个高度多态性的ISSR引物来扩增每个加入的DNA。基于 UPGMA 方法，这些种质可以分为两大类。M。pulegium group 在树状图中占据相对基础的位置，形成一个单一的集群。第二个大群包含薄荷部分的种质，分为五个子群。薄荷的分子分离表明物种之间的杂交可能导致不同物种的趋同和/或发散。我们的研究表明 (1) 突尼斯种质具有高度的形态和分子多样性；(2) 结合形态学和分子数据对于正确鉴定至关重要，允许在未来的育种计划中正确使用这些种质。薄荷的分子分离表明物种之间的杂交可能导致不同物种的趋同和/或发散。我们的研究表明 (1) 突尼斯种质具有高度的形态和分子多样性；(2) 结合形态学和分子数据对于正确鉴定至关重要，允许在未来的育种计划中正确使用这些种质。薄荷的分子分离表明物种之间的杂交可能导致不同物种的趋同和/或发散。我们的研究表明 (1) 突尼斯种质具有高度的形态和分子多样性；(2) 结合形态学和分子数据对于正确鉴定至关重要，允许在未来的育种计划中正确使用这些种质。