对苞萱草的核型研究

本文报道用光学显微镜观察对苞萱草Ｈｅｍｅｒｏｃａｌｉｓｆｕｌｖａ（Ｌ．）Ｌ．ｖａｒ．ｏｐ ｐｏｓｉｔｉｂｒａｃｔｅａｔａＨ．ＫｏｎｇｅｔＣ．Ｊ．Ｗａｎｇ,ｖａｒ．ｎｏｖ．的染色体,按全国第一次植物染色体学术讨论会建议的标准进行核型分析。研究结果表明,对苞萱草体细胞染色体数目２ｎ＝２２,核型公式ｋ（２ｎ）＝２２＝１２ｍ＋６ｓｍ＋４ｓｔ,属于Ｓｔｅｂｂｉｎｓ核型的２Ｂ型。甘肃萱草属植物的核型可分为两大类群,对苞萱草的核型属于第二类群。对苞萱草与萱草Ｈ．ｆｕｌｖａ（Ｌ．）Ｌ．的核型较接近,为新变种的确立提供了细胞学方面的依据。     

A limited number of chromosomes makes a nucleus competent to respond to inducers of replication and mitosis in a plant.

Multinucleate tetraploid cells with unbalanced chromosomal distribution in aneuploid nuclei were obtained in Allium cepa L. root meristems. For this, their natural diploid cells were treated with a multipolarizing agent (1 h carbetamide) followed by an inhibitor of cytokinesis (1 h caffeine). Data from these multinucleate cells with aneuploid nuclei suggest that only four out of the thirty-two chromosomes of their autotetraploid complement possess DNA sequences making the nucleus competent to respond to inducers of replication and mitosis. Direct observation of cells where a single replicated chromosome had reached mitosis showed that this chromosome was the one bearing the nucleolar organizer. Six specific chromosomes would confer competence to the nucleus to respond to inducers of replication but not to those producing chromosome condensation. Another four different chromosomes would confer the nucleus with the ability to respond to mitotic inducers but not to replication inducers. The rest of the chromosomal complement seemed to lack any of the DNA sequences needed for these two important cycle transitions. In a nutshell, certain DNA sequences distributed in a few chromosomes of the onion complement are an intranuclear requirement to initiate replication and mitosis in these plant cells.     

热休克诱导虹鳟四倍体

虹鳟卵受精后5—9小时期间,用热休克处理,12月龄时检查,四倍体出现频率为5％。较高的温度处理可导致卵的高死亡率。2n=60的虹鳟核型中,有中部和亚中部着丝点染色体22对,近端着丝点染色体1对,端部着丝点染色体7对,总臂数NF=104。4n=120的虹鳟四倍体核型中,有22套中部和亚中部着丝点染色体,1套近端着丝点染色体,和7套端部着丝点染色体,总臂数NF=208。未发现有染色体倍性镶嵌的个体。分析比较了二倍体和四倍体两类鱼的红细胞及其核的9个度量值(DNA相对含量,细胞及核的长轴、短轴,面积和体积),为应用红细胞鉴定四倍体虹鳟提供了倍性标准。在形态、解剖和生长速度方面未发现两类鱼有什么差别。     

A Study on Karyotypes of the Genus Lycoris

The genus Lycoris (Amaryllidaceae) consists of about 20 species, all of which are confined to temperate China, Japan and Korea. Cytological investigations, including a reexamination of the karyotypes of 14 taxa, measurements of relative nuclear DNA content, and meiotic configuration observations on some specific forms and interspecific hybrids, have been carried out by the present authors in order to re-evaluate the mode of karyotype evolution and the role of hybridization in the speciation of Lycoris. These have resulted in a new theory for explaining the karyotype evolution in the genus, which will be considered elsewhere. The present paper deals with observations on karyotypes of 11 species, 1 variety and 2 artificial hybrids. Results obtained through karyotype analysis, as shown by the data in Table 1, Plates I-VI and Figs. 1-2, reveal that: (1) the karyotypes of Lycoris rosea, L. radiata var. pumila, L. sprengeri, L. haywardii, L. caldwellii, L. squamigera and L. radiata are, on the whole, consistent with those reported by the previous authors^{[1,2,3,4,5,8,10,12]};(2) the I (rodshaped) chromosomes of L. chinensis and L. longituba are all T’s (telocentric) instead of t’s (acrocentric) or t(Sat)’s; (3) the three materials of L. aurea of different sources have shown a karyotypic differentiation: one with 2n=14=8m+6T, and the others with 2n=16=6m+10T: (4) both of the karyotypes of L. straminea and L. albiflora are 2n=19=3V+6I, inconsistent with 2n=16=6V+10I for the former and with 2n=17=5V+12I for the latter as reported by Inariyama (1953), Bose and Flory (1963) and Kurita (1987). The following aspects are worthwhile discussing: 1. The types of chromosomes. Karyotype analyses reveal the existence of three major chromosome types in Lycoris: (1) m (metacentric) chromosomes: (2) t (acrocentric) chromosomes, with short arms, (3) T (telocentric) chromosomes, sometimes with dot-like terminal centromeres. To distinghish t’s from T’s is of paramount importance for solving the problem of karyotype evolution in Lycoris. Bose (1963) pointed out that in the species with 2n=22, all I chromosomes were t’s, while in species with 2n=12-16, all I chromosomes were T’s. Our results of chromosome observations are consistent with Bose’s remarks. Some authorst^[3,6] have probably mistaken the dot-like terminal centromeres of T’s of L. longituba and L. chinensis as the short arms of t’s. 2. The significance of Robertsonian change in karyotype evolution. Although chromosome numbers and karyotypes are very variable in Lycoris, as shown in Table 1, the total number of arms of a chromosome complement of any species is always multiples of 11. Hence, it seems likely that Robertsonian changes have taken part in karyotype alteration, The genus has a series of basic chromosome numbers: 6, 7, 8 and 11. But which is the most primitive one? It is uncertain whether a successive decrease in chromosome numbers as a result of Robertsonian fusion or a gradual increase in chromosome numbers brought about by fission (fragmentation) has been the essential mechanism for karyotype evolution and speciation in Lycoris. These problems are of crucial importance and will be discussed in our subsequent papers. 3. The origin of polyploids. As evident from Table 1, there are two levels of ploidy differentiation in Lycoris: (1) di ploids with 2n=22 or the equivalent of 22, (2) triploids with 2n=33 or the equivalent of 33. The most common way of origination of triploids in plants is the hybridization of diploids with Tetraploids. But tetraploids have never been found in Lycoris. Thus, it is suggested that the triploids have originated from the combination of an unreduced gamete of a diploid with a normal gamete of another diploid. 4. The role of hybridization in speciation. Results of karyotype analyses show that hybridization has taken an important part in the speciation of Lycoris. Two types of hybrids have been found: (1) 2n=19= 3V+ 16I, L. straminea, L. albiflora and the two artificial hybrids L. sprengeri×L. chinensis and L. haywardii× L. chinensis all possess this karyotype. It could be seen from the above chromosome number and karyotype that this sort of karyotype is exactly half of the total sum of 2n=22I and 2n=16= 6V+10I. It is, therefore, quite evident that taxa possessing this karyotype are all diploid hybrids of 2n=22 and 2n=16, (2) 2n=27=6V+21I, L. caldwellii and L. squamigera possess this karyotype. It is reasonable to assume, too, that they are segmental allotriploids and have arisen from the combination of an unreduced diploid gamete of 2n=16 and a normal haploid gamete of 2n=22. The origin of the hybrid karyotype 2n=17=5V+12I reported by Inari- yama (1953) is similar to that of 2n=19, except that one of the parents possesses 2n=12= 10V+2I instead of 2n=16=6V+10I. The origin of the other hybrid karyotype 2n=30=3V+ 27I reported by Bose (1963) is similar to that of 2n=27, but the diploid gamete comes from taxa possessing 2n=22 instead of 2n=16.     

A Cytogeographical Study on Clintonia udensis (Liliaceae)

The genus Clintonia has four species in North America and one in eastern Asia (Fig．1)．In this paper,the karyotypes and the intraspecific morphological and cytogeographic differentiations of ten populations of C．udensis from China are analysed,and the probable origin area of the genus is also discussed．The conclusions are as follows： (1)Based On the chromosome numbers 2n=28 from the North American species,the Japanese and Himalayan groups,the earlier investigators established x=14 as the basic chromosome number of Clintonia,and they thought that there was polyploid in this genus except for aneuploid only in C．borealis (Utech,1975;Utech and Suda,1975),but a few authors(Sen,1975;Wang et al,1993)pointed out the x=7 basic number of this genus based on 2n=14 in C．udensis from Primorskiy Kray of Russia(Skolovskaya,1966)and Yunlong,Yunnan Province of China(Wang et al,1993)respectively．Our result along with there reports by previous authors(see table 1)shows that at least two ploid levels exist in C．udensis,i.e．2n＝14 and 2n＝28．The diploids are widely distributed from northwest Yunnan of China to Primorskiy Kray of Russia,while the tetraploids are located in northwest Yunnan,Himalayas,Japan,and a narrow area in Mt．Hualongshan of southern Shaanxi(07 population)(Fig．2)．Therefore,the basic chromosome number of Clintonia certainly is x=7 ratherthan x=14,while 2n=28 in North America,Japan and Himalayan area are tetraploid, not diploid, According to the previous data,so far no diploid taxa of Clintonia has been found in North America and Himalayas．So we consider that the primitive type of Clintonia is in eastern Asia,and the secondary diversity center and the present distribution center of this genus are in North America． (2)C．udensis is widely distributed in eastern Asia(Fig．2);it has two cytotypes．The karyotypes for all the diploid populations are remarkablely similar. Taken together, they can be roughly repersented by the formula:K(2n)=14=2V+6J+2v+4j(2NOR+2j). The chromosomes range in length 25.55～12.78 μm, with the ratio of the longest to the shortest 2.0. The karyotype belongs to Stebbins (1971)2A(→2B). For the tetraploid taxa, except for 07 population, karyotypes are also identical and may be roughly symbolized as: K (2n)=28=4V + 12J + 4v+8j ( 2NOR + 6j ). The length of chomosomes is from 27.87 to 13.93 μm, with the ratio of the longest to the shortest 2.0, and thus the karyotype belongs to 2A(→2B). The karyotype of 07 population is similar to those of above tetraploid taxa but also has some differences, especially in the position of satellites and the morphology of 10th and 14th pairs of chromosomes. Its formula is K(2n)=28=4V+12J(2NOR+10J)+4v+ 8j(2n=28=10m+16sm(2SAT)+2st). The ratio of the longest (23.72μm)to the shortest(12.97μm) chromosomes is 1.83. The Karyotype belongs to 2A. And the distribution range of this population is very narrow. We think that it is probably a recent evolutionary event in C. udensis. (3)Wether Clintonia in eastern Asia has 1 sp. or 2 spp. or 1 spp. and 1 var. has been debated for a long period. According to our observation, within C. udensis, only the size of seeds is related to its ploidy level, i.e. diploid individuals have smaller seeds and tetraploid ones have larger ones; the colour of seeds is related to its geographic distribution, i.e. the materials from the Himalayas through Yunnan, Sichuan to eastern Qinling Range have pale brown seeds, while those from Mt. Lüliang, Shanxi Province via Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin to Siberia and Japan have dark brown seeds. Some other morphological characters, such as the size of leaves and fruits, inflorescence type and flower numbers between individuals in one locality, even within one populaion have evident variation. Therefore, we consider that evidence(see Table 4 )for separating C. alpina or C. udensis var. alpina from C. udensis is notsufficient.     

Somatic hybrids of Datura innoxia Mill.+Datura discolor Bernh. and of Datura innoxia Mill.+Datura stramonium L. var tatula L.

Summary Following fusion of protoplasts from a chlorophyll-deficient diploid mutant of Datura innoxia Mill. which can be regenerated to shoots, with green wild-type protoplasts of Datura stramonium L. var. tatula L. which can not, it was possible to isolate 49 green hybrid calli on agar medium. Most of these somatic hybrid calli gave rise to leaves and shoots. The chromosome numbers of the somatic hybrids were determined: 15 were tetraploid (amphidiploid), 24 hexaploid, and the other showed an aneuploid chromosome number.In a similar experiment protoplasts of the Datura innoxia mutant were fused with green wild-type protoplasts of Datura discolor Bernh. which are also not able to be regenerated, four green calli were obtained from which leaves and shoots developed after some transfers on agar medium. Three of them showed the amphidiploid (48) chromosome number, whereas one possessed an aneuploid number of 46 chromosomes.After transfer of rooted shoots to soil flowering plants could be obtained in both combinations. The habits of the somatic hybrids in both combinations were intermediate between the habits of the respective parental plants.Dedicated to my father, Prof. Dr. Theodor Schieder, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

基于叶绿体DNA atpB-rbcL区序列探讨石蒜属种间系统发育关系

摘要：为了探讨石蒜属（Lycoris Herb.）的种间系统发育关系,对石蒜属95个材料包括15种、4变种及2个人工杂种的叶绿体 DNA atpB-rbcL间隔区进行了测序,结合花部形态和核型特征,探讨了石蒜属种间系统关系及其可能的杂交起源,结果表明：在系统发育树上亲缘关系近的材料聚在一起,其中矮小石蒜（L. radiata var. pumila）和换锦花（L. sprengeri）与2个人工杂交种（Hybrid 1、Hybrid 2）、麦秆石蒜（L. straminea）、江苏石蒜（L. houdyshelii）、短蕊石蒜（L. caldwellii）和乳白石蒜（L. albiflora）具有密切的亲缘关系。atpB-rbcL序列揭示的石蒜属种间关系与染色体核型的分类结果部分一致,主要表现在具有近端部着丝粒(A)染色体的种与具有中部(M)和端部(T)着丝粒染色体的种各成一支,与形态和染色体分类结果一致;不同之处在于具有中部、端部和近端部着丝粒染色体的种分散在两个主要分支内,进一步验证了具有中部、端部和近端部3种着丝粒类型染色体组的石蒜如麦秆石蒜、江苏石蒜、短蕊石蒜和乳白石蒜等是杂交起源的假设,结合2个人工杂交种分析,揭示了短蕊石蒜和乳白石蒜的近端部着丝粒染色体来源于换锦花;麦秆石蒜和江苏石蒜近端部着丝粒染色体来源于矮小石蒜。     

Clone heterogeneity in diploid and aneuploid breast carcinomas as detected by FISH

We investigated the relationship between DNA ploidy and alterations in chromosomes 1, 8, 12, 16, 17, and 18 in 63 breast carcinoma samples by static cytofluorometry and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Thirty specimens were diploid and 33 were aneuploid. In aneuploid samples, the DNA index value ranged from 1.3 to 3.1, with a main peak near tetraploid values. Diploid clones were present in 21 of 33 aneuploid specimens. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed a heterogeneous degree of alterations in diploid specimens: one sample was normal, 16 samples had one to three chromosome alterations involving mostly chromosomes 1, 16, and 17, and 13 samples an even higher degree of alterations. The 33 aneuploid specimens showed a very high number of signals (four, five, or more). All the investigated chromosomes were affected in 23 of 33 specimens. Alterations in chromosomes 1 and 17 were detected to a similar percentage in diploid and aneuploid samples, whereas chromosome 16 monosomy was more frequent in diploid samples. Overrepresentation of chromosomes 8, 12, 16, and 18 was significantly higher in aneuploid than in diploid samples. Based on these results, we suggest that diploid and aneuploid breast carcinomas are genetically related. Chromosome 1 and 17 alterations and chromosome 16 monosomy are early changes. Allelic and chromosomal accumulations occur during progression of breast carcinoma by different mechanisms. The high clone heterogeneity found in 17 of 33 aneuploid samples could not be completely explained by endoreduplication and led to the suggestion that chromosomal instability concurs with aneuploidy development. This different evolutionary pathway might be clinically relevant because clone heterogeneity might cause metastasis development and resistance to therapy.     

Karyotypes of Cyprinus carpio and Leuciscus cephalus

Karyological investigations on the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and chub (Leuciscus cephalus) are described. The diploid chromosome complement in the carp was found to be 98, with 50 meta- to submetacentric chromosomes, 48 subtelo- to telocentric chromosomes, and an arm number of 148. Chromosomal studies on the chub revealed the diploid chromosome complement to be 50, with 34 meta- to submetacentric chromosomes, 16 subtelo- to telocentric chromosomes, and an arm number of 84.     

Endopolyploidy in Diploid and Tetraploid Maize (Zea mays L.)

Nuclei from different tissues such as stem, mesocotyl, nodalroot and root tip of diploid and tetraploid maize were isolated,stained with propidium iodide and passed through an EPICS-751flow-cytometer cell sorter. Variations in flow histograms wereobserved in different tissues. Stem tissues of both the diploidand tetraploid had two peaks representing G1 and G2 somaticnuclei. The remaining tissues in both the diploids and tetraploidsexhibited three peaks. The first peak observed in these tissuesrepresents G1 somatic nuclei of the lowest ploidy level. Thesecond peak represent G2 somatic nuclei of the lowest ploidylevel+G1 somatic nuclei of the next ploidy level. The thirdpeak represents G2 of the higher ploidy level+G1 somatic nucleiof the next higher ploidy level. Statistically significant differenceswere observed between the diploid and tetraploid maize tissueswith respect to nuclei distribution in the higher ploidy levelpeaks implying variation in the degree of endopolyploidy inthe diploid and tetraploid maize. The results of this studysuggest that the amount of endopolyploid observed in maize genotypeshas an effect on their overall agronomic performance under thefield conditions.Copyright 1993, 1999 Academic Press Zea mays L., maize, endopolyploidy, diploid, tetraploid, flow cytometry     

Karyotypes and nuclear DNA amounts in Polypodium L. (Polypodiaceae)

Karyotype studies in several species of Polypodium show that telocentric chromosomes are the most common with acrocentrics forming the remainder of the complement. The relative numbers of these chromosome types can be used as indicators of species relationships although direct comparisons are difficult to make due to the large number of similar-sized chromosomes. The karyotype data support the theory that P. interjectum is a polyploid derived from the hybridization of, P. australe and P. vulgare. Measurements of nuclear DNA content show that the four diploid species P. australe, P. scouleri, P. virginianum and P. glycyrrhiza all have very similar amounts of DNA. The tetraploid P. vulgare has one-and-a-half times the DNA content of the diploids and the hexaploid P. interjectum has two times the DNA content of the diploids. The chromosomes of the tetraploid and hexaploid are smaller than those of the diploids and evolution in Polypodium appears to have been accompanied by either a loss or gain of nuclear DNA; the direction of the change cannot be ascertained by the present study.     

Genetic variations in the chloroplast genome and phylogenetic clustering of Lycoris species

The genus Lycoris of Amaryllidaceae comprises approximately 20 species that are distributed only in the moist warm temperate woodlands of eastern Asia. The objectives of this study were: (1) to clarify the phylogeny of the Lycoris species by using the definitive DNA sequencing method and (2) to examine the possible maternal donor of the hybrid origin Lycoris species and the Japanese triploid strains of Lycoris radiata var. radiata. The nucleotide sequence of the maturase K (matK) gene and the noncoding intergenic spacer (IGS) between the atpB and rbcL genes in the chloroplast genome were determined in a total of 27 strains of 11 species of the genus Lycoris. Variation among taxa was mainly due to nucleotide substitution, although deletions and an insertion were found in the IGS. For two chloroplast regions, the phylogenetic trees showed essentially similar topology, indicating the existence of four clades, I, II, III, and IV. For all the species except L. radiata, intraspecific variation was smaller than interspecific variation. For L. radiata, triploid strains were divided into clades I and II, and diploid strains were divided into clades I and IV. This implies that the diploid species of L. radiata var. pumila is a probable ancestral species. The clustering indicated that the chloroplast genome has not evolved in parallel with the karyotype in genus Lycoris. Regarding the hybrid origin species, the maternal parents of L. squamigara, L. albiflora and L. rosea were revealed to be L. longituba, L. radiata and L. radiata var pumila, respectively. We also suggest that a diploid strain of L. radiata var. pumila in clade I might be a candidate of the maternal donor of the Japanese triploid strains. A possible model of the maternal donor of Lycoris species is proposed.     

中国姜花属十九个分类群的细胞学研究

采用压片法对中国姜花属十八个分类群进行了体细胞染色体计数,对白姜花减数分裂终变期I的染色体数目和形态进行了观察。结果显示:包括白姜花在内的十九个分类群中有六个二倍体,一个三倍体,十二个四倍体,其中十二个分类群的体染色体数目为首次报道,显示中国姜花属植物具有较高比例的多倍体类型;姜花属的染色体基数为n=17,染色体组可能是多倍体起源的。     

CHROMOSOME COMPLEMENT AS A DETERMINANT OF THE MORPHOGENIC POTENTIAL OF TOBACCO CELLS

Polysomatism in Nicotiana tabacum L. ‘Wisconsin 38‘ was confirmed. Pith samples from the region of the stem 3.5–10.5 cm below the apex contained nearly equal proportions of diploid and tetraploid cells and samples obtained further down, 15.5–22.5 cm, showed predominantly tetraploid (circa 70%) and smaller proportions of diploid (9%), octaploid (16%), and aneuploid (5%) cells. Cultures of the callus from pith explants showed no evidence of diploid cells after 1 year, but did show roughly half 4n and 8n euploid and half-aneuploid cells. The callus after 6 years in vitro consisted entirely of aneuploid cells. The attainment of this predominance of aneuploid cells could account for the decline of callus growth and organ formation of tobacco tissue cultures. Tobacco tissue cultures started from single cells disclosed that totipotentiality was not restricted to diploid cells but was possessed by and expressed with apparently equal ease by tetraploid cells. The morphogenetically depressed situation was associated with a highly variable aneuploidy. With increase in somatic age the frequency of aneuploid cells increased and the level of ploidy among the aneuploid cells shifted from sub-tetraploidy to above tetraploidy.     

Contributions to the karyological study of the genus Ranunculus L. subgenus Batrachium (DC.) A Gray from the Iberian Peninsula

DIOSDADO. J. C, PASTOR, J. E. & VALDÉS, B. 1993. Contributions to the karyological study of the genus Ranunculus L. subgenus Batrachium (DC.) A. Gray from the Iberian Peninsula. The somatic and gametic chromosome numbers and detailed chromosome morphology are presented for eight taxa of aquatic ranunculi from the Iberian Peninsula. Within the subgenus Batrachium diploid and tetraploid levels have been observed (2 n = 16, 32) the commoner of which is the diploid. From the karyological data relationships have been established between the subgenus Batrachium and subgenus Ranunculus.     

韭不同倍性及其非整倍体的ITS序列变异研究

对不同倍性及其非整倍体韭Allium tuberosum和野韭Allium ramosum核糖体DNA的内部转录区(ITS)进行了PCR扩增和克隆,并测定10个ITS1和ITS2的序列,用ITS1 ITS2的序列探讨Allium tuberosum和Allium ramosum的系统发育关系。研究表明,Allium tuberosum与Alli-um ramosum种间的平均Kimura遗传距离仅为0．0146,二者是一对近缘种。虽然韭经历了长期的人工选择和自然选择,但与野韭的分化仍然较小。韭不同倍性及其非整倍体之间,其ITS序列亦无明显差异。     

国产香茶菜属十三个分类群的细胞学研究

对国产11种2变种共16个居群的香茶菜属植物的染色体数目进行了研究。除线纹香茶菜细花变种以外,其它种类的染色体数目均为首次报道。研究结果表明,有12个物种为二倍体,其染色体数目均为2n=24,推测该属植物的染色体基数为x=12。而细锥香茶菜既有染色体数目为2n=24的居群,也存在2n=48的居群,表明该种为二倍体或四倍体,同时2n=48的染色体数目也是香茶菜属内的首次报道。     

Chromosomal changes in three cell strains of the tasmanian rat-kangaroo,Potorous tridactylis,cultured in vitro (Marsupialia)

The chromosomal changes occurring in three strains of cells from Potorous tridactylis, one derived from testis and two of kidney tissue, were followed during the in vitro life of the strains.One kidney cell strain was a slow growing one and died after 23 passages showing aneuploidy with very aberrant metaphases. The strain derived from testis showed aneuploidy after a period of growth retardation, about 50% of the aneuploid cells having 18, 19 or 20 chromosomes. In these cells the chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 were always present in triplicate and the cells always had two X-chromosomes. The second kidney strain showed aneuploidy after a period of growth retardation, cells with 22 and 23 chromosomes being the most frequent ones, but in different proportions. As the number of aneuploid cells gradually decreased, diploid cells appeared in the population. Their number also decreased and a new population of aneuploid cells arose, having 23 chromosomes, missing one chromosome nr. 5 from the tetraploid complement. Then again the cell strain returned to diploidy but as the frequency of these diploid cells decreased, the strain died out.The work was carried out, in part, under the association between Euratom and the University of Leiden, contract No. 052-64-I-BIAN, and it also received support from the Foundation for Basic Medical Research (FUNGO).     

Correlation between distyly and ploidy level in Damnacanthus (Rubiaceae)

Somatic chromosomes were observed in 661 individuals of 14 taxa, nine species and five varieties, of Damnacanthus (Rubiaceae). Chromosome numbers are reported for the first time for 13 taxa. Diploid (2n = 22) and tetraploid (2n = 44) counts were obtained. Distyly is reported for the first time for four species, D. angustifolius, D. henryi, D. labordei, and D. officinarum. A strong correlation exists between chromosome number and occurrence of distyly. Regardless of taxa in Damnacanthus, distylous populations are diploid, and monomorphic populations are tetraploid. Flowers of the monomorphic populations observed have a long style and short stamens with few exceptions. Polyploidization may have caused the breakdown of distylous to monomorphic flowers. In D. indicus, leaves from the tetraploid populations tend to be larger than those from the diploid populations. Populations of tetraploid D. indicus were distributed in more northern areas than those of the diploid. Three types of sympatric distribution were found for the varieties of D. indicus in Japan: diploid and tetraploid, two diploids, and two tetraploids. Based on the present chromosome number study, the taxonomy of the varieties of D. indicus should be revised.