Assessment of plant species diversity (Lamiaceae Lindle.) in Uzbekistan based on DNA barcoding

Biological diversity preservation is important concept in modern science and environmental policy of Uzbekistan, improving the status of global biodiversity. Flora of Uzbekistan accounts over 4380 species of vascular plants. 378 taxa representing approximately 9% of currently recognized species diversity of Uzbekistan are considered as a national endemics. The present study aimed at species identification and inventory of wild, rare and endangered plant species based on molecular genetic techniques. For effective species identification and high results reliability, the genotyping of three-four loci of the combinations nuclear and chloroplast DNA-barcodes was performed for all studied species. The genotyping of marker sequences ITS, rbcL, trnL-trnF, matK for Dracocephalum adylovii I.I. Malzev is conducted the first time in Uzbekistan. The reliable similarity in the BLAST database is determined at the genus taxonomic level. 78 consensus nucleotide sequences were obtained for Lamiaceae species. The results of molecular phylogenetic analysis based on marker sequence encoding the matK fragment are presented for representative of three subfamilies: Lamioideae, Nepetoideae, Scutellarioideae recorded in the flora of Uzbekistan. Currently, the solution of biological diversity preservation is global. The possibility of successful application of DNA-barcoding for ecological monitoring is demonstrated.