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Morfološka in genetska variabilnost osočnikov (Salicornia L.) 
v Tržaškem zalivu (Severni jadran)
Morphologic and genetic variability of glassworts (Salicornia L.) 
from the Gulf of Trieste (Northern Adriatic)
M i T j a k a l i g a r i č
1
, b o r u t b o h a N e c
2
, b i l j a N a Si M o N o v i k
2
, Ni N a Ša j N a
1
1
  Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, 
University of Maribor, Koroška c. 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
2
  Agronomy Department, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 
Jamnikarjeva 101, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia 
The morphologic and genetic variability of annual glassworts were studied. Four pre-
determined morphotypes of Salicorna ( S. patula, S. emerici, S. veneta and the “saline 
type”) from 10 locations of the Gulf of Trieste coasts were studied. Beside morphometry, 
genetic variability was detected by means of ploidy level estimation using flow cytometry 
and with molecular DNA analysis of ITS regions of nrDNA and cpDNA. Two groups, 
diploids and tetraploids, which match with same nrDNA sequence, were recognized. Two 
types of cpDNA emerged among diploids, one of it - as a consequence of mutation before 
polyploidization - appear in all the three tetraploid morphotypes. In our case hybridization 
indicates tetraploid maternal progenitors, providing a plastid genome. The morphometry, 
based on regenerative traits, separated the four morphotypes, but the three most important 
characters in floral region (length of the fertile segment (LFS), length of the lateral flower 
(LLF), width of the scarious margin of the fertile segment (SM)) match with two genetically 
recognized taxa: diploid S. patula and widely distributed tetraploid, S. emerici, comprising 
also endemic morphotype S. veneta and the “saline type”. The determination key is given. It 
showed up, that the tetraploid S. emerici is far most common species of annual glassworths 
in the area, occupying more extreme habitats than S. patula, mostly forming monodominate 
stands. We estimate that in Slovenian seacoast around 95% of the glassworts belong to 
S. emerici. We discuss the habitual variability between tetraploids, being not more than 
phenotypic plasticity, by salinity-moisture-nutrients gradient and tidal regime. Further 
study in order to reconsider and revise the taxonomical status of endemic S. veneta is 
proposed.
Mi T j a k a l i g a r i č eT al.: Morfološka in genetska variabilnost osočnikov …