**4.2 Internal transcribed spacers**

In the absence of more precise evidence, it was decided to keep the genotype, here called *Heliconia* sp., as a specie not yet identified. It is assumed as a new cultivar of *H. psittacorum* cv. Sassy that occurred due to different geographic conditions. In fact, this finding requires further studies. Other molecular markers can be used to solve this issue, as did Kumar *et al*. (1998), that using RAPD, found that two triploid cultivars, Iris and Petra were the same genotype. Sheela *et al*. (2006) by using RAPD, found that cvs. St Vincent Red and Lady Di, were also grouped in the same subgroup. Thus, assuming that these genotypes formed a subgroup brother of triploid cultivars *H. psittacorum* cv. Sassy and cv. Suriname Sassy, presenting 2n = 36 (Costa *et al*., 2008), leads to the assumption that cvs. St Vincent Red and Lady Di are supposed to be triploid, corroborating with the similar banding pattern among these four genotypes in primer combination ITS3-ITS4.

The group that gathered the hybrids *H. psittacorum* x *H. spathocircinata* cvs. Golden Torch, Golden Torch Adrian and Red Opal was expected, once the nrDNA has biparental inheritance, and it is a nuclear molecular marker. *H.* x *nickeriensis* belongs to the *Heliconia* subgenus and *Pendulae* section (Kress *et al*., 1993), this subdivision is based on the consistency of vegetative structure, and staminodes and style shape, especially in the pending heliconia. *H. marginata*, alleged parent, has pending inflorescence, and yet, differ from other hybrids that are crosses between *H. psittacorum* x *H. spathocircinata* and belongs to the *Stenochlamys* subgenus and *Stenochlamys* section (Kress *et al*., 1993). Using RAPD markers to study genetic variability and relationship between 124 genotypes of the genus *Heliconia*, Marouelli *et al*. (2010), managed to gather interspecific hybrids of *H. psittacorum* in the same clade.

The hybrids showed small similarity that can be explained by the coevolution hypothesis, which considers the great genetic diversity of the genotype in the center of origin, once in northeast Brazil is frequently encountered native populations of *H. psittacorum*. Moreover, there is a wide variety of *H. psittacorum* hybrids described in literature, especially *H. spathorcircinata*, confirming the potential of this specie to form hybrids (Berry and Kress, 1991).

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The influence of epigenetic factors in the phenotype of an organism and therefore in obtaining hybrids of *Heliconia* should be an issue to be raised. Characteristics of the transmissibility of an individual to other generations are not only linked to genes, the cell should be considered with its cytoplasm, mitochondria and genetic material carried in its structure, as well as the organism as a whole, and the complexity of the environment (Pearson, 2006). Another factor to be considered is the cytosine methylation of the genetic material, also responsible for gene silencing, causing changes in the phenotype, and according to most recent works can be passed to subsequent generations, thus causing greate genetic diversity among individuals of the same specie.

Routinely, new *Heliconia* species have been described and others have been included as synonyms on each revision of the genus or subgenus; but, there is still controversy among authors. This situation suggests the need for a careful review of this group, since the visual botanical identification, may lead to imprecise denomination for the species that are being cultivated.

Although some diversity studies about the Heliconiaceae family have been undertaken in recent years, its classification remains opened, therefore, new genetic markers for the group are required to elucidate these classification issues. The results revealed that there was no repetition of genetic material among the cultivars and interspecific hybrids of *H. psittacorum* evaluated, indicating the necessity to use other regions that could provide potentially informative characters. In conclusion, the genetic diversity nuclear and chloroplast DNA regions observed to study in *Heliconia psittacorum* cultivars and interspecific hybrids, are information promising to be taken in account as a first step towards genetic improvement.

### **5. Acknowledgements**

The authors thank the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES) for the scholarship of the first author, the BNB for the financial support, the Bem-Te-Vi Farm, the RECIFLORA association, researcher scientist Dr. Carlos E. F. de Castro Campinas Agronomic Institute (IAC) and trainees of the UFRPE Floriculture Laboratory.
