New or rare data on chromosome numbers in several taxa of the genus<Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia (Asteraceae)</Emphasis> in Poland

Chromosome counts in 16 populations of fiveArtemisia species from Poland are presented in this paper. Those ofA. annua (2n=18) andA. dracunculus (2n=90) are reported for the first time in Polish populations. The decaploid level (2n=90) is described for the first time in non-cultivated populations ofA. dracunculus, and several cases of aneusomaty (intraindividual aneuploid variations in chromosome number: 2n=87, 88 and 89) have been detected in this species. In addition to the already known diploid number (2n=18), the tetraploid level (2n=36) has been detected inA. absinthium. The same two numbers have been recorded inA. abrotanum, which represents the first tetraploid count in populations of this taxon occurring outside botanical gardens. Finally, the chromosome number ofArtemisia campestris subsp.sericea (tetraploid, 2n=36) is reported for the first time. The relevance of polyploidy for the evolution of the genus and other cytotaxonomic or cytobiogeographical aspects are briefly discussed.     

Polyploidy and aneuploidy inOphrys,Orchis, andAnacamptis (Orchidaceae)

Studies on chromosome numbers and karyotypes in Orchid taxa from Apulia (Italy) revealed triploid complements inOphrys tenthredinifera andOrchis italica. InO. tenthredinifera there is no significant difference between the diploid and the triploid karyotypes. The tetraploid cytotype ofAnacamptis pyramidalis forms 36 bivalents during metaphase I in embryo sac mother cells. Aneuploidy was noticed inOphrys bertolonii ×O. tarentina with chromosome numbers n = 19 and 2n = 38. There were diploid (2n = 2x = 36), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 72), hexaploid (2n = 6x = 108) and octoploid (2n = 8x = 144) cells in the ovary wall of the diploid hybridOphrys apulica ×O. bombyliflora. Evolutionary trends inOphrys andOrchis chromosomes are discussed.     

Chromosome numbers of the genusCalamagrostis in Japan

Chromosome counts for 783 collection ofCalamagrostis in Japan are reported. These include the first record forC. tashiroi and the reports of new cytotypes inC. stricta, C. hakonensis andC. longiseta. The geographical distribution of different cytotypes ofC. langsdorffii andC. hakonensis is outlined. Counts are also reported for a number of “intermediates” which are supposed to be interspecific hybrids or hybrid derivatives. A summary of chromosome counts for JapaneseCalamagrostis so far recorded is tabulated. No diploid plants with 2n=14 chromosomes are found. The tetraploid taxa, which are plentiful and seem to have adaptively radiated in Japan, jack any sign suggestive of their recent origin from the diploids. It is suggested that plant with 2n=28 (4X in the traditional sense) may be regarded as semidiploid and having that behavior, and that speciation ofCalamagrostis in Japan has occurred principally at this chromosome level. Speciation by means of amphiploidy may have been scarce. It is also suggested that hybridization and polyploidy have greatly contributed to the formation of complicated internal structure of various species.     

Comparative karyomorphology and interrelationships ofSelaginella in Japan

Karyomorphological comparisons were made of 16 native and cultivated species ofSelaginella in Japan. The somatic chromosome numbers are 2n=16 inS. boninensis; 2n=18 inS. doederleinii, S. helvetica, S. limbata, S. lutchuensis, S. nipponica, S. selaginoides, S. tama-montana, andS. uncinata; 2n=20 inS. biformis, S. involvens, S. moellendorffii, S. remotifolia, andS. tamariscina; 2n=30 inS. rossii; and 2n=32 inS. heterostachys. The interphase nuclei of all species examined are uniformly assigned to the simple chromocenter type. The metaphase karyotype of 2n=16 (x=8) is 8 m (=median centromeric chromosomes)+8(st+t)(=subterminal and terminal). The group of the species having 2n=18 (x=9) is heterogeneous karyomorphologically: The karyotype ofS. nipponica is 2n=18=6 m+12(st+t),S. tama-montana 10 m+2 sm(=submedian)+6(st+t), andS. uncinata 6 m+7 sm+5(st+t). Although the remaining five species have the common karyotype 8 m+4 sm+6(st+t), the values of mean chromosome length are variable. Another group of the specles having 2n=20 (x=10) is homogeneous, since all species have the same karyotypes 8 m+4 sm+8(st+t) and have similar chromosome size. The karyotype of 2n=30 is 12 m+6 sm+12(st+t) and is suggested to be a triploid of x=10, and 2n=32=16m+16(st+t), a tetraploid of x=8. Thus, three kinds of basic chromosome numbers, x=8, 9, 10 are present in JapaneseSelaginella examined, and their karyomorphological relationships are discussed.     

Karyological studies in IberianSonchus (Asteraceae: Lactuceae): S. oleraceus, S. microcephalus andS. asper and a general discussion

Chromosome numbers and karyotypes ofSonchus oleraceus (n=16, 2n=32),S. asper (n=9, 2n=18 for subsp.asper and subsp.glaucescens, andS. microcephalus (n=15, 2n=30) are studied; for the first time their idiograms are given. Karyotypes mainly comprise small chromosomes with a degree of asymmetry 2B inS. oleraceus andS. microcephalus and 2A or 2A-2B inS. asper. No karyological differences can be pointed out betweenS. asper subspecies. Data presented support the amphiploid character ofS. oleraceus, and the origin ofS. microcephalus through a dysploid process involving the former taxon. In Iberian representatives of the genus, diagrams of karyotype asymmetry indices show a cluster grouping for species, with the detached exceptions ofS. maritimus andS. crassifolius, which spontaneously hybridize in central Spain. A review of available karyological data shows that in the evolution of the genusSonchus s.l. and relatives, the basic chromosome number x=9 has generally been maintained. Dysploidy is restricted to the seriesS. bourgeaui (n=8) —S. tenerrimus (n=7) andS. oleraceus (n=16) —S. microcephalus (n=15), evolutionarily related and included in the present subgenusSonchus. Polyploidy has been detected in a total of nine taxa ofSonchus and in the generaEmbergeria, Kirkianella, andDendroseris, being more common in peripheral regions of the distribution area of the group. Five diversification centers are proposed for the whole group, of which the Western Mediterranean area, including the Iberian Peninsula, is related to diversification of the present subgenusSonchus.     

Karyology of theScorzonera (Compositae) species from the Iberian Peninsula

A karyological study of 15 taxa ofScorzonera L. from the Iberian Peninsula has been made. The chromosome numbers found inS. hispanica var.pinnatifida, S. baetica, S. reverchonii, S. angustifolia, S. laciniata var.calcitrapifolia and var.subulata (2n = 14) are new. Diploid cytotypes with 2n = 14 and 2n = 12 prevail, andS. hispanica var.crispatula is the only taxon which exhibits autopolyploidy (2n = 14, 28). x = 7 is considered to be the base chromosome number within the genus, with x = 6 being derived from it by translocation. This and detailed karyotype analyses allow to group the Iberian Peninsula species ofScorzonera into three groups.     

Chromosome banding and genome size differentiation inProspero (Hyacinthaceae): Diploids

Prospero is a Mediterranean autumn-flowering genus ofHyacinthaceae commonly classified inScilla asS. autumnalis andS. obtusifolia. Extensive dysploid and polyploid variation has been reported. In the present study 77 diploid accessions from the western to the eastern part of the area of distribution, the major part being from continental Greece and Crete, have been analysed for karyotype structure and, in part, for genome size. Methods employed were acetocarmine staining, Giemsa C-banding, fluorochrome staining mainly with chromomycin A₃/DAPI, silver impregnation, and Feulgen densitometry. Banded idiograms were established with a computer assisted karyotype analysis procedure. Chromosome numbers were 2n = 8 inP. obtusifolium, and 2n = 12 and 14 inP. autumnale s. l. Dispensable euchromatic chromosome segments and different types of B chromosomes occurred. Among the cytotypes with 2n = 14 two karyotypes from Turkey differed from each other and from the rest in form, position of the nucleolar constriction, and in genome size. The remaining accessions were similar in karyotype shape but three levels of genome size could be discerned, the highest (1C = 7.50 pg) being found on the Iberian Peninsula, an intermediate one on Corsica and Malta, and the lowest (4.27 pg) in the Aegean. The karyotype with 2n = 12 had an intermediate genome size, and that ofP. obtusifolium a relatively low one. Heterochromatin amount was generally low, but some karyotypes showed characteristic banding patterns. The relationship between the chromosome complements with 2n = 14, 12 and 8 is discussed on the basis of idiograms and DNA amounts.The authors respectfully dedicate this papers to emer. o. Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess on the occasion of her 80th birthday.     

Evolution alpiner Populationen vonEuphrasia (Scrophulariaceae): Chromosomenzählungen an diploiden und polyploiden Sippen aus den Ostalpen

Chromosome counts are reported for several E. Alpine taxa ofEuphrasia sect.Euphrasia. First records of diploidy for small-flowered taxa are 2n = 22 forE. inopinata andE. sinuata, related toE. minima (4 x). Aberrant E. AlpineE. hirtella is 2 x, just as the typical W. Alpine populations of this species. Tetraploidy, 2n = 44, has been found inE. pumila, close toE. stricta (also 4 x). The limitation of ploidy levels within sect.Euphrasia to 2 x and 4 x on the chromosome base number x = 11 is confirmed.

     

Incidence of mycoflora and mycotoxins in some edible fruits and seeds of forest origin

Twelve fungi namelyAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A niger, A ochraceus, Actinomucor repens, Capnodoium spp., Curvularia lunata, Fusarium pallidoroseum, F solani, F verticillioides, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer were recorded from samples ofAegle marmelos, Aesculus indica, Buchanania lanzan andPinus gerardiana. In case ofPrunus amygdalus only Rstolonifer was recorded. A significant variation in pattern of mycoflora incidence was observed in terms of source and season. Fungal infestation in most of the substrates was found to be highest during monsoon. Aflatoxins were the most common mycotoxins elaborated by different isolates ofA flavus obtained fromA marmelos, B lanzan andP gerardiana. The amount of aflatoxins produced by the toxigenic isolates ofA flavus was in the range of traces to 0.9–26.0 μg/ml inA marmelos, 0.8–17.5 μg/ml inP gerardiana and 0.65–13.2 μg/ml inB lanzan. The percentage toxigenicity was comparatively lower in the isolates of other mycotoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins were detected almost in all the samples analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. However, traces of zearalenone were detected inA marmelos. The concentration of aflatoxin B₁ was in the range of 0.13–0.75 μg/g inA marmelos, 0.09–0.60 μg/g inP gerardiana and 0.01–0.20 ug/g inB lanzan. Mycotoxins were not detected inAesculus indica andPrunus amygdalus.     

Karyomorphological parameters and C-band distribution suggest phyletic relationships within the subtribeLimodorinae (Orchidaceae)

Karyotype attributes and heterochromatin distribution were used to characterize fourteen taxa of the subtribeLimodorinae (Orchidaceae). The karyotypes were established using morphometrical parameters following Feulgen staining and C-banding. No significant differences in heterochromatin content were found between specimens collected from various sites. Four species of theEpipactis helleborine group possess some chromosome pairs with quite similar heterochromatin patterns; some differences were found inE. distans with respect to other species of this group.Epipactis palustris differed significantly from otherEpipactis species in its different karyotype and its numerous terminal C-bands. The largest differences from the other genera were shown inLimodorum as far as karyomorphology and heterochromatin patterns were concerned. C-band distribution indicated similarity among non-homologous chromosomes, supporting a possible palaeo-polyploid origin for theCephalanthera andEpipactis karyotypes.     

The colour-differences in Epipactis helleborine (L.) Cr. Wats. & Coult., and the selection of the genetical varieties by environment

Summary It was found that climatological environmental influences play an important rôle in the natural selection of the colour-varieties ofEpipactis helleborine (L)Cr., Wats. & Coult. on the island of Ameland (Netherlands.)Data were obtained from counts in open field of the frequency of the genetical colour varieties.Transplantation-investigations were made, which indicate that the white variety is more resistent to the environmental influences than the red-violet ones.Data were obtained concerning occurrence of self-pollination or allogamy ofEpipactis helleborine.A new variety var.alba Wr. was described.Some conclusions were drawn concerning the systematics ofEpipactis helleborine.Some cytological data were obtained in regard to the chromosomal composition. As basic chromosome number n=10 was found. The spreading-norm of the acidity in which the mycorrhiza can occur was investigated.     

Chromosome number variability in central european members of the<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca ovina</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic">F. pallens</Emphasis> groups (sect.<Emphasis Type="Italic">Festuca</Emphasis>)

Chromosome numbers for 98 plants ofF. pallens, 19 ofF. psammophila, F. belensis andF. vaginata, and 44 ofF. ovina (originating from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia and Latvia) are given. In addition to theF. ovina andF. pallens groups, chromosome counts for the following taxa are also reported:F. alpestris (2n=14) reported for the first time in this work,F. amethystina subsp.amethystina (2n=28),F. brevipila (2n=42),F. cinerea (2n=28),F. rupicola subsp.rupicola (2n=42) andF. versicolor subsp.versicolor (2n=14).InF. pallens, two ploidy levels (2n=2x=14+0-1B, 2n=4x=28+0-1B) as well as two natural triploid plants (2n=21+0-1B), were found. In addition to the fourF. pallens types that have been distinguished in Austria, one new tetraploid type (F. pallens “scabrifolia”) from the Czech Republic and Germany is reported and its taxonomy is discussed. The distributions of the Oberösterreich-Niederösterreich and Pannonisches-HügellandF. pallens types outside of Austria are documented.Only the diploid chromosome number (2n=14) was found inF. psammophila andF. vaginata. Chromosome numbers forF. psammophila subsp.muellerstollii andF. belensis (both 2n=14) were determined here for the first time. Two ploidy levels, 2n=14+0-5B corresponding toF. ovina subsp.ovina and 2n=28 corresponding toF. ovina subsp.guestphalica andF. cf.duernsteinensis were confirmed inF. ovina. Differences in chromosome structure (simple and multiple secondary constrictions) betweenF. pallens as opposed toF. psammophila andF. vaginata are discussed. A complete survey of published chromosome counts for Central European species from theF. ovina andF. pallens groups is included.     

Phyletic and evolutionary relationships ofBrachyscome lineariloba (Compositae)

A comparison of karyotypes ofBrachyscome breviscapis (2n = 8),B. lineariloba cytodemes E (2n = 10), B (2n = 12) and C (2n = 16) suggests that these species have a homoelogous basic set of four chromosome pairs, two large pairs and two small, and that theB. lineariloba cytodemes E, B and C are related toB. breviscapis by successive additions of small chromosomes. A pronounced asynchrony of chromosome condensation between these large and small chromosomes has been observed. In the artificial hybrids betweenB. dichromosomatica (2n = 4) ×B. breviscapis, and theB. lineariloba cytodemes, theB. dichromosomatica chromosomes are similar in size and condensation behaviour to the small chromosomes ofB. breviscapis and ofB. lineariloba cytodemes E, B and C. Meiotic pairing in these hybrids also demonstrates the strong affinities between these chromosomes. It is suggested thatB. breviscapis may be of amphidiploid origin between a species with two large early condensing chromosome pairs and another,B. dichromosomatica-like species with two small late condensing pairs. It seems most likely that the additional small and late condensing chromosomes inB. lineariloba cytodemes E, B and C are derived from theB. dichromosomatica-like parent, and that each addition increases vigour, fecundity and drought tolerance, allowing these cytodemes to colonize more open and arid environments. Transmission of the univalents in the quasidiploidB. lineariloba cytodeme E was verified as being via the pollen, and not via the embryo sacs.The cytology ofBrachyscome lineariloba (Compositae, Asteroidae), 10.     

Karyotypes of metaphase chromosomes in diploid populations of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Dendranthema zawadskii</Emphasis> and related species (Asteraceae) from Korea: diversity and evolutionary implications

Although the Dendranthema zawadskii complex has been known to comprise a series of polyploids (4×, 6×, 8×), we found diploid individuals (with 2n=18) to occur in four populations of D. zawadskii var. latilobum in the southern region of Korea. Karyotypes of metaphase chromosomes were diverse because numbers of metacentric, submetacentric, and acrocentric chromosomes differ even within a population. A total of 17 karyotypes were found in 31 diploid individuals collected from the four populations. The karyotypes were also diverse in the presence or absence of chromosomes with a secondary constriction on a short or long arm and, if present, in the number of such chromosomes. They were further diverse in the presence or absence of non-homologous chromosome(s), the presence or absence of a chromosome with a satellite, and, if present, how many and where satellites are present. Almost the same pattern of diversity was found in diploid individuals (with 2n=18) of D. boreale and D. indicum as well, irrespective of whether they occur together with D. zawadskii var. latilobum or not. Structural features of chromosomes in the variously different karyotypes suggest that reciprocal translocation and the hybridization between individuals with different karyotypes had repeatedly occurred not only in D. zawadskii var. latilobum, but also in D. boreale and D. indicum. Morphologically intermediate individuals between D. zawadskii var. latilobum and D. indicum suggests that the hybridization occur with different species as well. Electronic Publication     

Karyotype analyses in three Patagonian and S. Andean endemic genera ofNicotianeae (Solanaceae)

The somatic chromosomes and karyotypes of threeNicotianeae have been studied for the first time. All of them have 2n = 2x = 22 and symmetrical karyotypes.Benthamiella pycnophylloides has 9 m pairs + 1 sm pair + 1 st pair; pairs 2, 4, 5, and 11 bear microsatellites.Combera paradoxa andPantacantha ameghinoi have 9 m pairs + 2 sm pairs; pair 11 ofC. paradoxa is satellited, while pair 9 ofP. ameghinoi bears microsatellites and shows a pericentric inversion in heterozygous state in 20% of the seedlings. Results are compared with previous chromosome reports for the tribe. The cytological data support their present position in the family system. Besides,Benthamiella, Combera andPantacantha appear to be primitive genera ofNicotianeae, a comparatively advanced tribe within the family.Chromosome studies onNicotianeae (Solanaceae) 1.     

Biosystematic studies on the genusIsoetes in Japan I. Variations of the somatic chromosome numbers

The somatic chromosome number of three Japanese species ofIsoetes, I. asiatica, I. japonica andI. sinensis, was determined in 199 individuals from 49 populations. The chromosome number ofI. asiatica was 2n=22, confirming previous reports. However,I. japonica andI. sinensis displayed a diversity in chromosome number. Six cytotypes, 2n=66, 67, 77, 87, 88 and 89, were found inI. japonica; 2n=67, 87, 88 and 89 are new counts in the genusIsoetes. The plants with 2n=66 were the most frequent (72% of total individuals examined) and were distributed throughout Honshu and Shikoku. The plants with 2n=88 occurred in western Honshu and a limited region in northeastern Honshu where the plants with 2n=77 were also found. In contrast, four cytotypes, 2n=44, 65, 66 and 68, were found inI. sinensis. The chromosome numbers ofI. sinensis were reported here for the first time. The plants with 2n=44 occurred only in Kyushu, while the plants with 2n=66 were found throughout a large area of western Japan.     

New chromosome numbers for plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands

Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported from 25 vascular plant taxa, endemic to the Balearic Islands that are poorly known cytogenetically. The chromosome numbers ofAnthyllis vulneraria subsp.balearica (2n=12),Cymbalaria fragilis (2n=56), andPolygonum romanum subsp.balearicum (2n=40) were determined for the first time. A new chromosome number was found in several populations ofAnthyllis hystrix (2n=70) suggesting that this species is decaploid, in contrast to an earlier work reporting a higher ploidy level (2n=12x=84). The new chromosome number 2n=32 was reported inHypericum hircinum subsp.cambessedesii. It is suggested that the previous count (2n=40) could be explained by the presence of anomalous pentaploid cells in some tissues, contrating with the presence of a regular tetraploid complement (2n=32). Cytogenetic observations suggest thatSibthorpia africana has a diploid chromosome complement of 2n=18, with 0–2 accessory chromosomes. Accessory chromosomes are also reported forPhlomis italica, being the first record of B chromosomes in this genus. Chromosomal instability was found inGalium crespianum andG. friedichii species, with three numbers 2n=44, 55 and 66. Two cytotypes differing in ploidy level were documented within single plants. It is suggested that both species share a regular complement of 2n=44 and that the past hybridization events and formation of regenerating roots from the typical rootstock ofG. crespianum andG. friedrichii could be involved in the genesis of chromosome variants through partial endopolyploidy and concomitant somatic segregation.     

Karyologic diversification and phylogenetic relationships of the genus<Emphasis Type="Italic">Thalpomys</Emphasis> (Rodentia,Sigmodontinae)

We describe the karyotype ofThalpomys species, from different Brazilian localities of the Cerrado.Thalpomys cerradensis Herskovitz, 1990 showed 2n=36, FN=34 andT. lasiotis Thomas, 1916 2n=38, FN=38. Comparisons of G-band karyotypes showed evident inter-specific homologies indicating that their chromosome complements could be derived from one another by two presumed rearrangements. Both species showed pericentromeric C-band regions in almost all chromosomes but a comparison with CMA3/DA/DAPI staining indicated that the molecular content of heterochromatic regions was different.T. lasiotis specimens from two different localities differed in the morphology of the X chromosome due to the presence of a short heterochromatic arm. These chromosome types are apparently fixed in each population rather than maintained as a polymorphic variation. Phylogenetic analyses supported the monophyly of the genusThalpomys but was not capable of elucidating its phylogenetic relationship to other Akodontini rodents. These analyses also showed inter-individual variation inT. lasiotis, even within a given population. Phylogenetic analyses placedT. lasiotis specimens with different karyotypes in different monophyletic branches. Molecular and karyologic data confirmed the identity of the genusThalpomys.     

A miscellaneous collection of bird karyotypes

In the framework of a project on bird sexing for zoos, orcein stained karyotypes were studied of 16 species belonging to 7 avian orders, viz.Tinamus solitarius (Tinamiformes),Scopus umbretta, Jabiru mycteria, Mycteria cinerea, Ciconia (=Dissoura) (episcopus) stormi andC. (=D.) e. episcopus (Ciconiiformes),Aburria pipile cumanensis, A. p. grayi, Penelope purpurascens, Lagopus lagopus andArborophila orientalis (Galliformes),Phalcoboenus megalopterus (Falconiformes),Burhinus magnirostris (Charadriiformes),Carpococcyx renauldi (Cuculiformes), andCeratogymna (=Bycanistes) subcylindricus andC.(=B.) bucinator (Coraciiformes). With the exception ofCiconia (=Dissoura) e. episcopus, all these karyotypes are new to cytology. They are briefly described and compared to karyotypes of the respective families and orders known from the literature. Cytotaxonomic implications are briefly discussed. The karyotypes ofBurhinus magnirostris (2n=42),Ceratogymna subcylindricus (2n=44) andC. bucinator (2n=40) exhibit the lowest diploid chromosome numbers hitherto found in birds. Of these, the twoCeratogymna species almost completely lack microchromosomes.     

Cytotaxonomic analysis of the Himalayan species of the genusTorilis (Apiaceae)

Chromosome studies of four HimalayanTorilis species reveal a remarkable interand intraspecific differentiation of chromosome numbers and karyotypes:T. arvensis (2n = 12),T. leptophylla (2n = 12),T. Stocksiana (2n = 36) andT. japonica (2n = 16). Base numbers inTorilis are x = 6, 8, 9 and 11.