Isozyme Variation in Cymbidium Species (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

<jats:p>Eight enzyme systems were used to study electrophoretic variability among 12 species of <jats:italic>Cymbidium</jats:italic> Swartz and to assess phylogenetic relationships among them. The species could be easily distinguished by two enzyme systems, malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and phosphoglucose isomerase (GPI), although other enzyme combinations were also diagnostic. Genetic similarity index data indicated considerable genetic variability among the 12 species. Isozyme data supported the current taxonomic placement of the investigated species. The terrestrials [<jats:italic>Cymbidium goeringii</jats:italic> (Rchb. f.) Rchb. f., <jats:italic>Cymbidium ensifolium</jats:italic> (L.) Swartz, and <jats:italic>Cymbidium sinense</jats:italic> (Jackson) Wild.], which are all members of the subgenus <jats:italic>Jensoa</jats:italic> (Rafin.) Seth &amp; Cribb., were the most closely related.</jats:p>