Novel repetitive sequences decipher the evolution and phylogeny in Carthamus L
Abstract Repetitive sequences are ubiquitous features of eukaryotic genomes, which contribute up to 70-80% of the nuclear genomic DNA. They are known to impact genome evolution and organization and play important role in genome remodelling. The widespread distribution and sufficient conservation of repeats reinforce the value of repetitive DNA sequences as markers of evolutionary processes. The repetitive DNA-based phylogeny reconstruction method is consistent in resolving expected phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships. In the present study, we address the isolation and characterization of four novel repetitive sequences (pCtHaeIII-I, pCtHaeIII-II, pCtHaeIII-III and pCtTaqI-I) from Carthamus tinctorius. Detailed phylogenetic analysis of 18 taxa belonging to 7 species of Carthamus has also been done with pCtHaeIII-I, and pCtHaeIII-II which clearly indicated concerted evolution while delineating phylogenetic relationships among the 18 taxa studied. The above understanding can assist in the marker assisted genetic improvement/ enhancement programmes in this crop species.