Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Leonurus L. species under the conditions of Uzbekistan

¹ Alfraganus University, Tashkent, 100000, Uzbekistan
² Tashkent State Agrarian University, Tashkent, 100140, Uzbekistan
³ Karshi State University, Karshi, 180100, Uzbekistan

^* Corresponding author: arabova_nodira@mail.ru

Abstract

This study investigates the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships within the genus Leonurus, focusing on species found in Uzbekistan. For the first time in the region, molecular genetic tools were applied to analyze Leonurus species using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) markers. Samples collected from the Tashkent region were sequenced, and additional ITS data from 21 representatives of the Lamiaceae family were retrieved from GenBank. The sequences were aligned using the CLUSTALW tool, refined with Snap Gene, and analyzed using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method with the Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) model in the IQ-TREE program. The resulting phylogenetic tree revealed genetic relationships among Leonurus species and closely related genera like Lagochilus and Paraphlomis. High bootstrap values (99.9%–100%) confirmed the reliability of these findings. Leonurus sp. UZB clustered with Leonurus glaucescens and Leonurus turkestanicus, suggesting a shared evolutionary origin. Close genetic proximity was observed between Leonurus sp. UZB and Leonurus cardiaca, while Leonurus sibiricus was more genetically distant, likely due to ecological or geographical isolation. Additionally, the analysis highlighted significant genetic differences between Leonurus and the genera Lagochilus and Paraphlomis, indicating early evolutionary divergence. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic structure and evolutionary history of Leonurus species, emphasizing the need to preserve genetically similar species together for long-term population stability. This research also underscores the practical importance of such studies in biodiversity conservation and adaptive management. Future work should expand genome-level analyses and explore environmental factors influencing genetic variation within Leonurus populations to enhance conservation efforts and sustainable use of these plant resources.