Polymorphism of Birches in the Southern Trans-Urals

Leading monographers of the genus , N. N. Tzvelev and G. V. Kulikov, recognize the independence of birch microscopes. In the Southern Trans-Urals, belongs to this group. Most studies of representatives relied on traditional phenotype-based methods, lacking mechanisms to resolve taxonomic challenges in this complex genus. Our study aimed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of genetic and morphological polymorphism in birch populations along the Tobol River in the Southern Trans-Urals. We evaluated: ploidy levels of representatives, variability of chloroplast DNA fragments, morphological structure of leaf blades across 10 birch sampling sites. The study revealed moderate genetic polymorphism and low interpopulation differentiation of in the Southern Trans-Urals. Based on the ploidy level data, we showed that the occurrence of within investigated territory is low. According to the results of the complex analysis, the taxa and have similar phenotypic features, common chlorotypes, the same ploidy level (2n), therefore, the taxonomic status of requires revision.