Molecular marker characterization of selected grape species found in Texas and New Mexico

North American Vitis species and interspecific hybrids have been the source of rootstocks for Vitis vinifera for the last century. In this study, germplasm collection, morphological evaluation and random amplified polymorphic DNA (F^PD) analysis of native Vitis were made to determine their current status. Areas for investigation included north-central Texas, western Texas and New Mexico. Known geographical pockets of grapevines were visited, with specimens taken and identified by comparison to herbarium collections and published descriptions. In locals where more than one species existed, many natural interspecific hybrids with varying morphological characteristics had become established. In North Central Texas, two areas were visited. The first encompassed parts of Tarrant, Parker and Wise counties where three grapevine species (V. mustangensis, V. berlandieri, V. cordifolia and V. vulpina) and many interspecific hybrids were observed. The second was Wilbarger county where V. acerifolia was found growing in the south while V. xdoaniana was found growing in the north. West Texas was primarily populated with V. acerifolia with the exception of the Silver Falls Canyon area in Crosby County where hybrids of V. acerifolia, V. arizonica, V. treleasei and V. xdoaniana were observed. In New Mexico, two areas were visited: San Miguel County (North Central region), where V. acerifolia, V. arizonica, V. xdoaniana, and V. treleasei were observed and Otero County (southern New Mexico) where V. arizonica was observed. A rich diversity of Vitis germplasm appears to remain in these habitats.