Restriction site variation in the chloroplast genomes of the monogenomic Triticeae

Restriction site variation in the chloroplast has been useful in discerning relationships among diploid wheat taxa and their polyploid descendants. Data are beginning to accumulate on the perennial taxa as well. The level of variation within the tribe is low, but each genomic group studied to date can be distinguished by at least one unique restriction site, which can serve as a marker for the cytoplasm. There is little phylogenetically useful variation, so cladograms of the tribe are poorly resolved and unstable. However, a distinctive deletion links the chloroplasts of Pseudoroegneria libanotica, Ps. stipifolia. Elytrigia repens, and Dasypyrum villosum.