RAPD DNA fingerprints and terpenoids: clues to past migrations of Juniperus in Arabia and east Africa.

Random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and leaf volatile terpenoids were used to compare junipers from Abha, Saudi Arabia with J. excelsa from Greece and J. procera from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Both the RAPDs and terpenoids clearly identified the Abha juniper as J. procera. The migration and evolution of J. excelsa or pre-J. excelsa junipers southward from Asia Minor into Africa is discussed. A computer program, PCO3D, is now available for 3-D ordination of RAPDs data. In addition, this research supports the recognition of both J. excelsa and J. procera as separate species.