Phylogenetic Relationships in Actinidia as Revealed by RAPD Analysis

Phylogenetic relationships within the Actinidia were investigated using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. DNAs from 40 taxa, including 31 species encompassing all four sections and four series of the traditional subdivisions within the genus, were amplified using 22 preselected 10-mer oligonucleotide primers. A total 204 DNA bands were scored across the 40 taxa, of which 188 (92%) were polymorphic. A wide range of genetic similarity was observed among the taxa (0.13 to 0.61). The average similarity between varieties of the same species was 0.54, and between different species was 0.28, respectively. Although the phylogenetic analysis revealed a clear indication that section Leiocarpae was a monophyletic group, subdivisions of the other three traditional sections were poorly supported. The UPGMA phenogram showed that the majority of the species clustered into geographic subgroups in accordance with their natural distribution (the Yangtzi River, southeastern China, southern China and southwestern China). The intrageneric subdivisions of Actinidia appeared to be difficult, but some subdivisions could be explained by the geographic distribution of the species, particularly for species of Liang's sections of Maculatae and Stellatae . The phylogenetic relationships among several species with previous taxonomic uncertainty are also discussed on the basis of the RAPD data. The results of this study supplement our previous understanding of the Actinidia taxonomy based solely on morphological characters.