Karyotypic diversity and evolution of seven mahseer species (Cyprinidae) from India

Mahseer is a group of fish species that are well known as food and game fishes. The taxonomy of the mahseer species is confusing owing to the morphological variations and habitat adaptation. Detailed karyomorphological investigations have been carried out in seven species of mahseer, using karyotyping, Ag-NOR and fluorescent staining techniques. The basic diploid chromosome number (2n), in all mahseer species, was observed to be 100; however, the karyotype formula varied among the species, which were recorded as: 20m + 14sm + 22st + 44t (fundamental arm number, FN = 134) in Tor khudree ; 22m + 24sm + 24st + 30t (FN = 146) in Tor mussullah; 12m + 22sm + 14st + 52t (FN = 134) in Tor putitora ; 20m + 24sm + 24st + 32t (FN = 144) in Tor tor ; 20m + 30sm + 24st + 26t (FN = 150) in Tor chelynoides; 20m + 20sm + 20st + 40t (FN = 140) in Tor progeneius; and 20m + 18sm + 14st + 48t (FN = 138) in Neolissochilus hexagonolepis . Silver staining of the chromosomes revealed the presence of multiple nucleolar organizer regions (NOR) in these mahseer species. The highest number of NORs was observed in T. tor (four pairs of chromosomes), whereas the other six species possessed Ag-NOR signals on only two pairs of chromosomes. Although chromomycin A₃ (CMA₃) staining induced bright fluorescence signals on same Ag-NORs sites, with CMA₃, one additional signal was observed on the p arm of subtelocentric chromosomes in T. tor , T. chelynoides , T. progeneius and N. hexagonolepis , which may indicate the presence of inactive NOR in these species. The information on cytogenetic profile of these mahseer species is discussed in the light of cytotaxonomic implications and understanding the karyoevolution of these fish species.     

Comparative karyology of species of the genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Misgurnus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cobitis</Emphasis> (Cobitidae) from the Amur River Basin in connection with their taxonomic relations and the evolution of karyotypes

Data are first provided on karyotypes of four species of Cobitidae from the Amur Basin: Misgurnus nikolskyi (2n = 50 = 10m + 4 sm + 36sta, NF = 64), Cobitis lutheri, (2n = 50 = 12m + 8sm + 30sta, NF = 70), C. choii (2n = 50 = 8m + 10sm + 8st + 24a, NF = 68), and C. melanoleuca (2n = 50 = 6m + 16sm + 28sta, NF = 72), and number of chromosomes in M. mohoity (2n = 50) and karyotypes of C. melanoleuca from the basin of the Don, Malyi and Bol’shoi Uzen rivers, and Selenga. These data are discussed in connection with problems of taxonomy of the studied genera, as well as the evolutionary relations of their karyotypes. On the basis of karyological differences between the populations of C. melanoleuca from different parts of the range, a new subspecies C. melanoleuca gladkovi subsp. nov. that inhabits waters of Europe is described.     

六种犁头尖属植物(天南星科)的核型研究

报道了 6种 8个居群犁头尖属 ( Typhonium Schott)植物的核型 ,其结果如下 :( 1 )独角莲 ( T.gigan-teum)北京居群 2 n=4 x=5 2 =4 4m+ 7sm+ 1 st;( 2 )鞭檐犁头尖 ( T.flagelliforme)金平居群 2 n=3x=2 4 =3m+ 9sm( 4 SAT) + 1 2 st,河内居群 2 n=4 x=32 =7m+ 2 0 st+ 4sm+ 1 t;( 3)单籽犁头尖 ( T. calcicolum)西畴居群2 n=4 x=5 2 =2 1 sm+ 2 3m( 5 SAT) + 8st;( 4 )犁头尖 ( T.blumei)重庆居群 2 n=4 x=5 2 =4 0 m( 1 SAT) + 1 2 sm( 3SAT) ;( 5 )马蹄犁头尖 ( T.trilobatum)西双版纳居群 2 n=2 x=1 8=4 sm( 2 SAT) + 1 2 m+ 2 st,河内居群 2 n=2 x=1 8=2 st+ 9m+ 7sm;( 6 )金慈菇 ( T. roxburgii)个旧居群 2 n=2 x=1 8=8sm+ 1 0 m( 2 SAT)。其中鞭檐犁头尖 2 n=2 4、32 ,金慈菇 2 n=1 8均为首次报道 ,同时分析讨论了本属植物染色体基数和倍性的多样性及其可能的原始基数     

Cytological studies on six cyprinid fishes

The chromosome complements of six cyprinid fishes were studied, using the routine air-drying Giemsa staining technique. The diploid chromosome number recorded is 2n = 50 (8m+18sm+14st+10t) with NF = 90 in Aspidoparia morar, 2n = 50 (8m+12sm+12st+18t) with NF = 82 in Crossocheilus latius latius, 2n = 50 (6m+12sm–16st+16t) with NF = 90 in Labeo pangusia, 2n = 70 (16m+6sm+16st–32t) with NF = 108 in Perilampus atpar, 2n = 48 (4m+6st+38t) with NF = 58 in Puntius chrysopterus and 2n = 50 (2m+2sm+4st+42t) with NF = 58 in P. tetrarupagus. Sex chromosomes are not identifiable in any of these species. A pair of marker chromosomes has been observed in all species excepting A. morar.     

Gymnotus capanema, a new species of electric knife fish (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae) from eastern Amazonia, with comments on an unusual karyotype

Gymnotus capanema n. sp. is described on the basis of cytogenetic, morphometric, meristic and osteological data from nine specimens (one male and eight females) from the municipality of Capanema, Pará, in the eastern Amazon of Brazil. Later, three additional specimens were found in museums and regarded as nontypes (not cytogenetically analysed). Gymnotus capanema, which occurs in sympatry with Gymnotus cf. carapo cytotype 2n = 42 (30m/sm + 12st/a) exhibits a novel karyotype for the genus, with 2n = 34 (20m/sm + 14st/a). Gymnotus capanema can be unambiguously diagnosed from all congeners on the basis of a combination of characters from external anatomy, pigmentation and osteology. The constitutive heterochromatin, rich in adenine-thymine (A-T) base pairs [4',6 diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) positive], occurs in the centromeric region of all of the chromosomes, and in the pericentromeric and the entire short arm of some chromosomes. The nucleolar organizing region (NOR), stained by silver nitrate, chromomycin A(3) (CMA(3)) and 18S ribosomal (r)DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), occurs in the short arm of pair 15. FISH, with telomeric probes did not show interstitial telomeric sequences (ITS), despite the reduced 2n in comparison to the karyotypes of other species of Gymnotus. The karyotype of G. capanema, with a reduced 2n, is strikingly different from all other previously studied congeners.     

獐牙菜属5种植物的核型研究

首次报道了中国５种獐芽菜属植物的染色体数目和核型。它们染色体中期核和相对长度组分分别是：四数獐牙菜为２ｎ＝１４＝４ｍ＋８ｓｍ＋２ｓｔ＝２Ｌ＋６Ｍ２＋４Ｍ１＋２Ｓ;华北獐牙菜２ｎ＝２８＝１２ｍ＋１４ｓｍ＋２ｓｔ＝６Ｌ＋８Ｍ１＋＋６Ｓ;二叶獐牙菜为２ｎ＝２８＝１４ｍ＋４ｓｍ＋１０ｓｔ＝２Ｌ＋１４Ｍ２＋１０１＋ｓＳ;抱茎獐 菜为２ｎ＝６ｍ＋１２ｓｍ＋２ｓｔ＝８Ｍ２＋１２Ｍ;浙江獐牙菜为２ｎ＝２０＝８ｍ＋     

中国四个盐湖卤虫品系的核型研究

本文以气干法,对中国４个盐湖卤虫品系的核型进行了研究。研究结果表明,各盐湖卤虫染色体基数均为ｎ＝２１。两性生殖卤虫均为二倍体,其核型为２ｎ＝１６ｍ＋１０ｓｍ＋４ｓｔ＋１０ｔ＋Ｚ（ｓｔ）Ｗ（ｍ）／Ｚ（ｓｔ）Ｚ（ｓｔ）,ＮＦ＝７４。孤雌生殖卤虫存在二,四,五倍体个体。其二倍体核型为：２ｎ＝１４ｍ＋４ｓｍ＋４ｓｔ＋１８ｔ＋Ｚ（ｓｔ）Ｗ（ｓｍ）,ＮＦ＝６６。     

The discovery of triploid Lycoris sprengeri Comes ex Baker from Anhui,China

Lycoris sprengeri Comes ex Baker is endemic to China. Reported in the present paper are the chromosomes number and karyotypes for two wild populations of the species from Anhui. ( 1 )Caishi population has a karyotype 2n=33=9st+21t+3T. The length of chromosomes ranges from 5.58～9.15μm. The karyotype belongs to Stebbin’s (1971) “4A”. (2)Longyashan populations have two karyotypes. The karyotype formula of the type I is 2n=22=8st+14t, with chromosomes ranging from 6.88～9.15μm. The karyotype belongs to “4A”. The karyotype formula of the type Ⅱ is 2n＝22＝1m+1sm+14st+6t, with chromosomes ranging from 7.20～15.80μm. The karyotype belongs to “3B”. The triploid type of L. sprengeri was discovered in Anhui for the first time. The karyotype 2n=22 =1m+1sm+14st+6t in diploid type of this species is here reported for the first time.The Robertsonian change plays a key role in karyotype evolution of Lycoris.     

Karyomorphology of four species in Ancylostemon,Briggsiopsis and Lysionotus (Gesneriaceae)

Reported in the present paper are chromosome numbers and karyotypes of three genera of the Gesneriaceae, i.e. Ancylostemon Craib. , Briggsiopsis (Franch.) K. Y. Pan and Lysionotus D. Don. The former two genera are endemic to China. The karyotype of Ancylostemon aureus (Franch.) Burtt is formulated as 2n = 34 = 20m(1sat) + 14sm, with the same chromosome number as its allied species A. convexus Craib. This species is characterized by the interphase nucleus of complex chromocenter type and the proximal type of chromosomes in the mitotic prophase. The chromosome number of the monospecific genus Briggsiopsis is 2n = 34, the same as the lowest chromosome number reported in Briggsia. The karyotype of Briggsiopsis, which is formulated as 2n = 25m + 6sm + 3st, also seems to be primitive among the species of the two genera. Briggsiopsis is characterized by the interphase nucleus of simple-complex chromocenter type and the interstitial-gradient type of chromosomes in the mitotic prophase. The chromosome number of Lysionotus carnosus Hemsl. is the lowest reported in this genus. Its karyotype is formulated as 2n= 30 = 21m + 5sm + 3st + lt. Lysionotus serratus var. pterocaulis, with the karyotype being formulated as 2n= 32 = 2lm + 10sm + lt, has the same chromosome number as var. serratus. These two species show a remarkable differentiation of karyotypes and are characterized by the interphase nuclei of simple-complex chromocenter type and the gradient type of chromosomes in the mitotic prophase. _ .     

黄精属细胞分类学研究Ⅱ.四川金佛山地区黄精属植物核型

本文对四川金佛山地区4种黄精属植物的核型进行了研究,其结果为:滇黄精:2n=26=6m+12sm(2SAT)+8st(2SAT);距药黄精:2n=26=10m+4sm+12st;垂叶黄精:2n=30=14m(2SAT)+4sm+10st+2t、2n=28=14m+6sm+6st+2t;湖北黄精:2n=30=12m+8sm+10st、2n=28=6m+10sm+10st+2t、2n=22=2m+12sm 8st。通过与其它地区黄精属植物染色体数目与形态的比较,发现本地区所有种类的染色体数目普遍偏高,无论在染色体基数或染色体形态上都比较接近喜马拉雅山地区分布的种类。从实验结果进一步看出了黄精属的染色体变异是相当明显的,并主要表现为非整倍性变异;在有些情况下,染色体数目与结构的变异能与某些形态学特征相联系。     

Report on Karyotypes of 10 Species of Liliaceae (s. l.) From Qinling Range

The karyotypes of 10 species of the Liliaceae from the Qinling Range are reported as follows. I. Polygonatum Mill. (1) P. odoratum ( Mill. ) Druce was found to have the karyotype 2n=20=12m+8sm ( Plate 3, Fig. I), which belongs to Stebbins’ (1971) karyotype classification 2B. The chromosomes range from 3.88 to 11.26μm in size. Table 2 shows the karyotypes and number fundamentals (N.F.) of 13 materials from 12 different localities. The N. F. of these materials can be classified into two groups: N.F. =36 and N.F.=40, besides one (N.F. =38) from Beijing. N. F. =36 covers all the materials with 2n= 18 which have relatively symmetrical karyotypes ( all consisting of m and sm chromosomes), one with 2n=20 (10m+6sm+4st) and one with 2n=22 (14m+8st). N.F. =40 include four materials with 2n= 20 (all of m and sm chromosomes ) and 3 with 2n= 22 (10m+ 8sm+ 4st). ￥ It is considered that there are two original karyotypes, 2n= 18 with N. F. = 36 and 2n= 20 with N.F. =40, which are relatively symmetrical. All the more asymmetrical karyotypes with some st chromosomes have probably evolved from the symmetrical karyotypes without st chromosomes by centric fission. (2) P. zanlanscianense Pamp. has the karyotype 2n=30=18m(2SAT) + 4sm+ 6st+ 2t (Plate 1, Fig. 1) which belongs to 2C. The chromosomes range from 2.16 to 9.76μm. ￥ II. Asparagus filicinus Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don. The karyotype of this species is 2n = 16= 8m(2SAT )+ 6sm + 2st (Plate 1, Fig. 1 and Table 3 ) , which belongs to 2B. The chromosomes range from 2.33 to 5.30μm. Most species in Asparagus, including A.Filicinus, are reported to have basic number x= 10, and therefore 2n= 16 is a new chromosome number for A.filicinus. EL-Saded et.al.(1972) gave a report of n=8 for A. stipularis from Egypt, while Delay (1947) reported 2n = 24 for A. trichophyllus and A. verticillatus, Sinla(1972 ) gave a report of 2n=48 for A.racemosus. It is certain that there are two basic numbers in the genus Asparagus. III. Cardiocrinum giganteum (Wall.) Makino was found to have the karyotype 2n=24=4m+8st+12t (Plate 1, Fig. 1 ), which belongs to 3B. The chromosomes range from 8.71 to 20.24μm. IV. Smilax discotis Warb. was shown to have the karyotype 2n=32=4m+22sm+4st (2SAT)+2t (Plate 1, Fig. 1 and Table 3), which belongs to 3C. The first pair is much longer than others. The chromosomes range from 1.79 to 9.21μm. The chromosome number and karyotype of S. discotis are both reported for the first time. V. Reineckia carnea (Andr.) Kunth is of the karyotype 2n=38=28m+10sm (Plate 2, Fig. 1 ), which belongs to 2B. The chromosomes range from 5.65 to 12.75μm. VI. Tupistra chinensis Baker was found to have the karyotype 2n=38=25m+ 13sm (Plate 2, Fig. 1), which belongs to 2B. The chromosomes range from 8.11 to 23.82μm. A pair of heterozygous chromosomes is arranged at the end of the idiogram. The eighth pair possesses an intercalary satellite. Huang et al. (1989) reported the karyotype of T. chinensis from Yunnan as 2n = 38 = 24m+ 14sm without any intercalary satellite. Nagamatsu and Noda (1970) gave a report on the karyotype of T. nutans from Bhutan, which consists of 18 pairs of median to submedian chromosomes and one pair of subterminal chromosomes. And one pair of submedian chromosomes possess intercalary satellites on their short arms. VII. Rohdea japonica (Thunb) Roth. was found to have the karyotype 2n=38=30m+6sm+2st ( Plate 2, Fig. 1), which belongs to 2B. The chromosomes range from 7.94 to 18.29μm. Nagamatsu and Noda (1970) reported that the karyotype of R.japonica from Japan was the same as that of Tupistra nutans from Bhutan. But we have not discov ered any chromosome with an intercalary satellite. VIII. Hosta Tratt. (1) H. plantaginea (Lam.) Aschers was shown to have 2n=60. The 60 chromosomes are in 30 pairs,which can be classified into 4 pairs of large chromosomes (7.32- 8.72μm ), 3 pairs of medium-sized ones (4.72-5.60μm), and 23 pairs of small ones (1.40-3.64μm), (Plate 3 ,Table 4 ). The karyotype of H. plantaginea is reported for the first time. (2) H. ventricosa (Salisb.) Stearn was counted to have 2n=120, The 120 chromosomes are in 60 pairs, which can be classified into 8 pairs of large chromosomes (7.00- 8.40μm ), 6 pairs of medium-sized ones(4.40- 6.15um ), 46 pairs of small ones (1.20- 3.85μm), (Plate 3, Table 4). Based on the karyotypes of H. plantaginea and H. ventricosa, the latter is probably a tetraploid in the genus Hosta. Kaneko (1968b) gave a report on the karyotype of H. ventricosa, which is of8 pairs of large chromosomes, 4 pairs of medium-sized and 48 pairs of small ones.     

东北蒿属艾组12种植物核型研究

报道东北蒿属艾组12种植物的染色体数及核型资料,结果如下：宽叶山蒿（Artemisia stolonifera (Maixm.)Komar.)2n=4x=36=28m 4sm(4SAT) 4st(4SAT);野艾蒿（A.lavandulaefolia DC)2n=2x=50=40m 4sm 6st(6SAT); 矮蒿（A.lancea Van.)2n=2x=16=10m 4sm 2st;蒙古蒿（A.mongolica (fisch.ex Bess.)Nakai]2n=2x=16=14m 2st;红足蒿（A.rubripes Nakai)2n=2x=16=14m 2st;歧茎蒿（A.igniaria Maixm.)2n=2x=34=28m 2sm 4st(4SAT);柳叶蒿（A.integrifolia Linn.)2n=4x=36=20m 12sm 4st;线叶蒿（A.subula 4st(4SAT);柳叶蒿（A.integrifolia Linn.)2n＝4x=36=20m 12sm 4st;线叶蒿（A.subulata Nakai)2n=2x=16=14m 2st;高岭蒿（A.brachyphylla Kitam.)2n=2x=18=14m 2sm 2st;林文稿[A.uiridissima(Komar.)Pamp.]2n=2x=18=14m 4sm;奄癌（A.keiskeana Miq.)2n=2x=18=16m 2sm;阴地蒿（A.sylvatica Maxim.)2n=2x=16=14m 2sm,核型对称性野艾蒿（A.lavandulaefolia)为2B型,其余均为2A型,依据核型资料对个别种的演化 分类进行了初步探讨。     

黄精属细胞分类学研究——Ⅱ.四川金佛山地区黄精属植物核型

本文对四川金佛山地区4种黄精属植物的核型进行了研究,其结果为:滇黄精:2n=26=6m+12sm(2SAT)+8st(2SAT);距药黄精:2n=26=10m+4sm+12st;垂叶黄精:2n=30=14m(2SAT)+4sm+10st+2t、2n=28=14m+6sm+6st+2t;湖北黄精:2n=30=12m+8sm+10st、2n=28=6m+10sm+10st+2t、2n=22=2m+12sm 8st。通过与其它地区黄精属植物染色体数目与形态的比较,发现本地区所有种类的染色体数目普遍偏高,无论在染色体基数或染色体形态上都比较接近喜马拉雅山地区分布的种类。从实验结果进一步看出了黄精属的染色体变异是相当明显的,并主要表现为非整倍性变异;在有些情况下,染色体数目与结构的变异能与某些形态学特征相联系。     

国产8种蜘蛛抱蛋属植物的核型研究

首次报道了8种蜘蛛抱蛋属植物的核型,其中6种的染色体数目为首次报道。结果如下：峨边蜘蛛抱蛋A．ebianensis,2n=2x=36=18m+2sm(2sat)十16st;盈江蜘蛛抱蛋A．yingjiangensis,2n=2x=36=14m+6sm(2sat)十16st;海南蜘蛛抱蛋A．hainanensis,2n=2x=36=20m(2sat)十14st十2t;石山蜘蛛抱蛋A．saxicola,2n=2x=36=16m十4sm(2sat)十16st;糙果蜘蛛抱蛋A．muricata,2n=2x=36=18m+2sm(2sat)十16st;啮边蜘蛛抱蛋A．marginella,2n=2x=38=22m+4sm(2sat)十12st;西林蜘蛛抱蛋A．xilin-ensis,2n=4x=76=48m(4sat)十2sm+26st;十字蜘蛛抱蛋A．cruciformis,2n=4x=76=46m(4sat)十12sm十18st。核型类型都为2C型。首次在中国发现了A．cruciformis和A．xilinensis的野生四倍体。根据外部形态性状及已有的38种植物的核型资料分析,认为该属染色体的原始基数可能为x=18,核型向对称性增强的方向演化,其主要表现在中部着丝粒染色体数目的增多,这种演化趋势似与其花部结构的进化密切相关。关键词 蜘蛛抱蛋属;染色体数目;核型;进化     

百合科扭柄花属一个新的染色体基数

对中国云南西部和西北部分布的腋花扭柄花Streptopus simplex的4个居群进行了细胞学研究。生长在云南西北香格里拉县(原中甸县)碧塔海和小中甸冷杉林中的腋花扭柄花两个居群的体细胞染色体数目为2n=2x=18,而生长在高黎贡山的福贡县片马和贡山县的灌丛中的植物体细胞染色体数目则为2n=2x=14。2n=14为腋花扭柄花一个新的染色体数目,x=7为扭柄花属一个新的染色体基数。香格里拉碧塔海和小中甸两个居群的核型公式分别为2n=4m+8sm+4st和2n=8m+2sm+6st,染色体逐渐变小;贡山和福贡片马两个居群的核型公式分别为2n=14=4m+10sm和2n=14=7m+7sm,其中第一对中部着丝粒的染色体显著大于其余染色体。由于x=8是扭柄花属最常见的染色体基数,因此可认为x=8是腋花扭柄花的染色体原始基数,x=7的数目是衍生的;x=7居群染色体的一条大染色体可能是由x=8的染色体的两条st型染色体的着丝粒发生了罗伯逊易位而来。     

国产蜘蛛抱蛋属的细胞分类学研究I.四个广西特有种的核型

研究了广西特有的４种蜘蛛抱蛋属植物的核型,结果如下：巨型蜘蛛抱蛋,２ｎ＝３８＝２４ｍ（２ｓａｔ）＋２ｓｍ＋１２ｓｔ;长药蜘蛛抱蛋,２ｎ＝３６＝１８ｍ＋２ｓｍ（２ｓａｔ）＋１６ｓｔ;广西蜘蛛抱蛋,２ｎ＝３６＝１８ｍ＋４ｓｍ（２ｓａｔ）＋１４ｓｔ,隆安蜘蛛抱蛋,２ｎ＝３８＝２０ｍ＋６ｓｍ（２ｓａｔ）＋１２ｓｔ。以上核型都属２Ｃ,具有明显的二型性．     

Karyotype of Four Species in Buddleja ( Loganiaceae) *

The chromosome numbers and karyotypes of the 4 species in genus Buddleja were reported. The karyotype formulas are 2n= 2x= 38= 22m+ 16sm ( B1 yunnanensis) , 2n= 2x= 38= 26m+ 10sm+ 2st ( B1 crispa) , 2n= 2x= 38= 20m+ 16sm + 2st ( B1 off icinalis ) , and 2n= 2x= 38= 20m+ 16sm+ 2st ( B1japonica) . Karyotype of B1japonica belongs to Stebbins. s 2B type and other 3 species belong to Stebbins. s 2A type. Based on the cytological data ( karyotypes and the recorded chromosome numbers) and the species morphologies, the evolution trend of the two series in Sect1Neemda was briefly discussed.     

醉鱼草属四个种的核型分析

报道了醉鱼草属（Btuldleja）4个种的染色体核型。云南醉鱼草（B.yunnanensis）的核型公式为2n=2x=38=22m＋16sm,皱叶醉鱼草（B．crispa）为2n=2x=38=26m＋10sm＋2st,密蒙花（B．officinalis）为2n=2x=38=20m＋16sm＋2st,口本醉鱼草（B．japonica）为2n=2x=38=20m＋16sm＋2st。日本醉鱼草的核型为2B型,其它3个种的核型为2A型。根据核型分析结果,结合形态学特征和已有的细胞学资料,初步讨论了醉鱼草组（Sect．Neemda）两个系（Series）可能的演化关系。     

Cytotaxonomical Studies on Liliaceae (s.l.): (2) Report on Chromosome Numbers and Karyotypes of 8 Species of 8 Genera from Zhejiang,China

Eight species in eight genera of Liliaceae from Zhejiang were cytotaxonomically studied in this work. The karyotypes of Chinese materials of these species are mostly reported for the first time. The results are shown as follows (see Table 2-4 for chromosome parameters of them): 1. Disporum sessile D. Don Sixteen chromosomes are counted at metaphase of roottip cells.The Karyotype formula is 2n=16=2lm+2sm+4st+2sm+3sm+ 1sm(SAT)+2st (Plate 1: 2-3, see Fig. 1:1 for its idiogram). The Karyotype belongs to 3B in Stebbins’ (1971) karyotype classification, and consists of four pairs of larger chromosomes (1-4) and four pairs of smaller chromosomes (5-8). One SAT-chromosome is situated at the sixth pair. The chromosomes range between 4.85-16.63μm. The karyotypic constitution is similar to that of Japanese material reported by Noguchi (1974). Chang and Hsu (1974) reported 2n=14=13st+1sm and 2n= 16=2m + 13st + 1sm for the material from Taiwan under the name of D. shimadai Hay. (=D. sessile D. Don). Compared with our result of D. sessile, the differences are obvious. 2. Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce PMCs diakinesis shows eleven bivalents, n = 11, 5 large and 6 small (Plate 2:5). The meiosis is normal. The majority of reports of this species are 2n=20, with a few 2n=22 and 30 (see Table 1). The materials from southen Siberia and the Far East in USSR are all of 2n= 20. Our result is the same as recorded by Jinno (1966) in the Japanese material and by Li (1980) from Beijing. Ge (1987) reported 2n=20 in the cultivated individuals of Shandong, China, showing that both 2n=20 and 22 exist in China. 3. Scilla scilloides (Lindl.) Druce This species has the somatic chromosome number 2n=18 (Plate 1: 4-6, see Fig. 1:2 for its idiogram), of which two groups of chromosomes can be recognized, i.e. the 1 st -5 th pairs of large and the 6 th-9th pairs of small chromosomes. A distinct character of the karyotype is that two satellites are attached to the short arms of the 1st pair of chromosomes. The degree of asymmetry is of 3C. The karyotype formula is 2n = 18 = 2sm (SAT) + 6st + 2t+ 6m + 2sm. The chromosomes range from 2.02 to 11.93 μm. The Previous counts on the species are 2n = 16, 18, 26, 34, 35, 36 and 43 (see Table 1). The present investigation confirms Noda’s and Haga’s results. The species is considered to be of two genomes, namely A(x = 8) and B(x = 9). Our result shows a genome composition of BB, having a pair of large SAT-chromosomes. Chang and Hsu (1974) reported 2n = 34 from a population of Taiwan, an amphidiploid (AABB), Karyotypes of other Chinese populations are worth further researches. 4. Tricyrtis macropoda Miq. The chromosome number of somatic cells is 2n= 26, and PMCs MII shows 13 bivalents (n= 13) (Plate 3:1-3, see Fig. 1:3 for its idiogram). The karyotype formula is 2n= 26= 6m + 10sm + 6st + 4st (or t), which is composed of chromosomes: 4L + 22S in size. The degree of asymmetry is of 3B. No centromeres of the 12th and 13th pairs of chromosomes were observed at metaphase, and the chromosomes may be of st or t. Nakamura (1968) reported 2n= 26(4L+ 22S)= 2sm+ 2sm-st+ 14st-sm+ 8st for T. macropoda Miq. and 2n= 26(4L+ 22S)= 8m+ 2sm+2sm-st+ 2st-sm+ 12st for its ssp. affinis, both from Japan. It is clear that the major character of their karyotypes, i. e. 4L + 22S, is consistent with that reported here. Based on the previous and present reports, all Tricyrtis species studied are remarkably uniform in the basic karyotype, i. e. 4L + 22S. 5. Allium macrostemon Bunge. The present observation on the root-tip cells of the species shows 2n = 32 (Plate 3: 4-5, see Fig. 1:4 for its idiogram). The karyotype formula is 2n (4x)= 32= 26m + 6sm, which belongs to 2B, being of high symmetry. Except the 6th, 10th and 13th pairs of chromosomes all the are metacentric. Chromosomes of this species are large, ranging from 5.94 to 18.06 μm. Our result agrees with Kawano’s (1975) report under the name of A. grayi Regel ( = A. macrostemon, Wang and Tang 1980). 6. Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. Ten bivalents were observed in PMCs MI, n=10 (Plate 1: 1). The present result confirms the number of a population of Taiwan recorded by Hsu (1971). 7. Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl. The species from Mt. Taogui, Hangzhou, is found to have 2n (2x)=36=22m + 14sm (Plate 2: 1,5, see Fig. 1:5 for its idiogram) which belongs to 2B. The karyotype is composed of 2 medium-sized chromosomes with metacentric centromeres and 34 small chromosomes, ranging from 1.34 to 4.92 μm. The populations from Mt. Tianzhu and Mt. Yuling, Zhejiang, are found to be aneuploids at tetraploid level (2n=64-70). It is interesting that Nagamatsu (1971) found the karyotypes of Japanese materials to be 2n= 67 and 68, also showing unsteady 4x karyotypes of this species. In the previous. reports (see Table 1), the chromosome numbers of this species are mainly 2n = 72, besides 2n = 36 recorded by Sato (1942) from Japan. 8. Liriope platyphylla Wang et Tang The somatic complement of the species collected from Mt. Tianzhu, Hangzhou, is 2n = 36 (Plate 2: 3-4, see Fig. 1:6 for its idiogram). The karyotype is 2n(2x) = 36 = 16m + 20sm, belonging to 2B type. The chromosomes are small except the medium-sized, 1st pair and the range is from 1.27 to 5.19μm. The material from Mt. Yuling, Zhejiang, is found to have a variety of chromosome numbers (2n= 60-71), as observed in Ophiopogon japonicus. Hasegawa (1968) reported the karyotype of 2n = 72 (4x) from Japan The 2x karyotype is first recorded. This genus is closely related to Ophiopogon. Based on the Hasegawa’s and present studies, all the species in these two genera are remarkably uniform in karyo-type. Therefore, the taxonomy of the two genera is worth further researches.