Reproduction and continuity of chloroplasts in spermatophytes

Without the continuity of chloroplasts there would be no higher life. Chloroplast reproduction and continuity can be studied in the guard cells of stomata, utilizing the result of reproduction, viz., the number of chloroplasts. An annotated list of such numbers from 261 families of spermatophytes is provided. For each family and many subfamilies or tribes are given the numbers of genera and species investigated as well as the ranges and medians of 1909 generic and 6161 specific chloroplast numbers, predominantly from my own countings. The driving forces behind the reproduction and continuity of chloroplasts are reviewed and discussed in the light of some figures of the list and other evidence. The results support the hypothesis that nuclear DNA replication paves the way for chloroplast reproduction and that the nuclear DNA amount is instrumental in ensuring the continuity of chloroplasts throughout meristematic cell successions.