MOLECULAR TAXONOMIC STUDY FOR THE GENUS JUNCUS L. (JUNCACEAE) IN IRAQ BASED ON CHLOROPLAST GENE RPL16.

This study examines the taxonomic significance of the intron chloroplast gene rpl16 in molecular research (Phylogenetic Relationships) between Juncus (Junicaceae) family in Iraq comprising diagnostic molecular study obtained from sequencing of rpl16 gene. The study showed cluster analysis and distributed the Juncus species in three major clades, and the basal clade included J.articulatus alone; this clade sister clade to the second major clade, the J.maritimus & J.acutas clade. The third clade in the phylogenetic tree gathers the J.hybridus & J.rigidus. Monophylly of these clades good in supported and relationship between Juncus species in Iraq clear based on molecular data.