Phylogenetic analysis of libyan thyme (thymus capitatus)‎ inferred from the morphological traits

Abstract EN

The genetic diversity of wild thyme (Thymus capitatus) which growing in southern parts of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region, Libya was studied by using cluster anal ysis of morphological traits (flower measurements).

This study was aimed to establish the phylogenetic relationships based on floral parameters among accessions of thyme (T.capitatus).

The five populations (accessions) of Libyan thyme were assigned into two clusters (clades) at the critical distance value of 22%.

The 1"cluster contained three populations that were included white-flowered, dotted white-flowered and violet flowered accession, then the 1st cluster was divided into two sub-clusters by the critical distance value of 5%, the first sub-cluster contained two populations (white-flowered, dotted white-flowered accession).

While, the second sub-cluster contained one popula tion (violet-flowered accession).

The 2nd cluster contained two populations which were purple-flowered and mosaic-flowered accessions.

In conclusion, The flower measure ments can be a preliminary tool to classify Libyan thyme (T.capitatus), and floral pa rameters can be used in the classification of Libyan thyme accessions (populations).