ABSTRACT
DNA markers have recently been extensively used for genetic studies and plant identification. With the introduction of new techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) or sequencing of DNA molecule, taxonomy based on DNA is one of the most developed approaches to identification of biodiversity (Schierwater et al., 1997; Demeke and Adams, 1994, Caetano-Annoles, 1996; Hadrys and Schierwater, 1992). Such studies were also carried out on the Pelargonium genus, and also other genera of the Geraniaceae family (Erodium, Geranium, Monsonia, Sarcocaulon) as well. Price and Palmer (1993) examined chloroplast gen rbcL in order to assess kinship within the Geraniaceae family and likewise among other families from the Geraniales. The same approach was employed by Pax et al. (1997) in the analysis of relatedness’ among endemic Hawaiian geraniums. Apart from chloroplast DNA (fragment between trnL and trnF), internal transcribed spacer ITS sequences from rDNA, was the basis for work by Bakker et al. (1998) to analyse the phylogenetics of the Peristera section of Pelargonium.
