Abstract:
Purpose : The nomenclature of the wild strawberries inhabited in Sri Lanka is ambiguous. In Sri Lanka, this
species is still named Duchesnea indica which needs a revision. Wild strawberries grow well in natural habitats
of upcountry in Sri Lanka. Since the commercial strawberry cultivations gain a popularity in upcountry, the
studies on wild strawberry is essential for crop improvement and management.
Research Method : In the present study, we conducted extensive field sampling followed by a phylogenetic analysis
with the DNA barcoding markers ITS and, trnL-F by using a representative sample of wild strawberry plants in Sri
Lanka. The distribution of the species was identified using maximum entropy modeling approaches.
Findings : Sri Lankan wild strawberry got placed at subtribe: Potentilla, and clade: Reptans and show
a shallow divergence with the species Potentilla indica reported. Thus, we reposition the genus of wild
strawberries in Sri Lanka from Duchesnea to Potentilla and hereafter name it as P. indica. The niche model
analysis predicted a highly restricted distribution of Sri Lankan wild strawberry in Nuwara-Eliya district
over an area of 166.36 km2
in the altitude range of 1546 - 2524 m in a small climatic envelop highlighting
the need for urgent conservation measures.
Research Limitations : The pop-set for available in literature of P. indica is limited for comparison.
Extensive studies based on DNA sequencing is needed for further validation.
Originality / Value : Taxonomy, narrow distribution, need of conservation, and phylogenetic distance
to Fragaria chiloensis, a progenitor species of cultivated strawberry, are defined for Sri Lankan wild
strawberries.
