Isoenzyme diversity and affinity between Dactylis glomerata and Puccinellia maritima (Poaceae)

Two Estonian populations of Dactylis glomerata and two of Puccinellia maritima were surveyed electrophoretically for eight enzymes to assess their diversity and affinity. Analysis of electrophoretic data indicated a significant amount of variability in the studied populations of D. glomerata and P. maritima as judged by the number of isoenzyme phenotypes and isoforms detected. Phenotypic affinity between D. glomerata and P. maritima was evaluated by calculating four coefficients of similarity/distance: SI, DCD, Ih, and DE. Phenetic analysis demonstrated that D. glomerata and P. maritima are more distantly positioned in comparison to other closely related grass species that share common genomes. Systematic position and affinity between Dactylis and Puccinellia within Poaceae are briefly discussed.