Chromosome number and karyotype of Phaenospermateae and Duthieeae (Poaceae), with reference to their systematic implications

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that Phaenospermateae and Duthieeae are among the early diverging lineages of Pooideae and that they are closely related to each other. Here, we test this with cytotaxonomical data. The monotypic tribe Phaenospermateae, represented by Phaenosperma globosum, has a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 24 and a fairly symmetric karyotype consisting of 22 median (m) and 2 submedian (sm) chromosomes varying in length between 1.8–3 μm. Duthieeae, represented by Duthiea brachypodium, Sinochasea trigyna, Stephanachne monandra and Stephanachne pappophorea, also share the chromosome number 2n = 2x = 24 and similar symmetric karyotypes with the chromosomes varying in length between 1.4–5 μm. Thus, the close relationship of Phaenospermateae and Duthieeae is corroborated.