Cytotaxonomy of Centaurea section Mesocentron (Asteraceae) in Türkiye

The scarce karyological data available for both the Arctium-Cousinia complex and the Onopordum group has led us to provide more data essential to understand the karyological evolution of these taxa. Chromosome counts were made on somatic metaphases using the squash technique. We report 20 chromosome number records for the genus Cousinia s. lat. from the area of Near East and Central Asia. Thirteen of them are first chromosome counts for the studied species, and the remaining seven records provide confirmation of scarce or uncertain previous data. We also present the first chromosome counts for three of the 13 sections of this genus. Our records for Arctioid species show karyological uniformity with 2n=36. In the Cousinioid group, 13 records agree with the three major numbers of its characteristic dysploidy series 2n=22, 24 and 26. We report first chromosome counts for the genera Olgaea and Syreitschikovia from Kazakhstan, being 2n=26 and 24, respectively. Our results confirm a hypothesis that the Arctioid and Cousinioid clades, although forming a monophyletic group, have followed different evolutionary paths. In the Onopordum group, our results confirm the existence of two lineages; the colonizing biennial taxa are characterized by n = 17, while the perennial genera have n = 12, 13. The evidence for recent polyploidization is absent in both the Arctium-Cousinia complex and the Onopordum group.

In order to study of intraspecific karyotype divergence in Ae. triuncialis, 13 populations of this species that were collected from Northwest regions of Iran were studied using squash technique. Chromosome number in all populations was 2n=28, but karyological characters such as total length of chromosomes, chromosome arm ratio, number and length of satellites, karyotype formulae and symmetrical indexes showed high variation. All results indicate presence of high genetic variation among the populations of Ae. triuncialis species. This variation can be useful in breeding programs of polyploid wheats and to broaden the genetic variability of the gene pool.

Chromosome data are fundamental in evolution. However, there has been no attempt to synthesize and evaluate the significance of such information from a phylogenetic perspective in the giant genus Solanum, which was the aim of this work. New and published information of the main cytotaxonomic features (chromosome number, polyploidy, total length of the haploid complement, mean chromosome length, mean arm ratio, karyotype formula, nuclear DNA amount, number/position of rDNA sites) was compiled and mapped onto an embracing Solanaceae phylogeny, performing Ancestral States Reconstruction. There were 506 Solanum species with chromosome counts (49.7% from an estimated total of 1,018 spp.), with x = 12 being the most frequent number (97%). Species with karyotypes represent 18.8%, while 8% have been studied with any molecular cytogenetic technique. Chromosome characters showed transitions associated with supported nodes, some of which have undergone fewer transitions than others. The common ancestor of all Solanum was a diploid with 2n = 24, a karyotype with st and/or t chromosomes, 2C DNA content of 1–1.2 pg, one locus of 18–5.8–26S rDNA and one of 5S, both loci being asyntenic. The chromosomal variables behave as homoplastic, with reversions in all branches. The analysed characters were sorted from more to less conserved: asynteny of rDNA loci; number of sites of 18–5.8–26S; chromosome number; karyotype formula; number of 5S loci. This pattern of chromosomal evolution distinguishes Solanum from closely related genera and from genera from other families with a similar number of species.

Euterpe (Martius, 1823), a genus from Central and South America, has species with high economic importance in Brazil, because of their palm heart and fruits, known as açaí berries. Breeding programs have been conducted to increase yield and establish cultivation systems to replace the extraction of wild material. These programs need basic information about the genome of these species to better explore the available genetic variability. The aim of this study was to compare Euterpeedulis (Martius, 1824), Euterpeoleracea (Martius, 1824) and Euterpeprecatoria (Martius, 1842), with regard to karyotype, type of interphase nucleus and nuclear DNA amount. Metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei from root tip meristematic cells were obtained by the squashing technique and solid stained for microscope analysis. The DNA amount was estimated by flow cytometry. There were previous reports on the chromosome number of Euterpeedulis and Euterpeoleracea, but chromosome morphology of these two species and the whole karyotype of Euterpeprecatoria are reported for the first time. The species have 2n=36, a number considered as a pleisomorphic feature in Arecoideae since the modern species, according to floral morphology, have the lowest chromosome number (2n=28 and 2n=30). The three Euterpe species also have the same type of interphase nuclei, classified as semi-reticulate. The species differed on karyotypic formulas, on localization of secondary constriction and genome size. The data suggest that the main forces driving Euterpe karyotype evolution were structural rearrangements, such as inversions and translocations that alter chromosome morphology, and either deletion or amplification that led to changes in chromosome size.

This study analysed the karyotype of Cyrtodactylus kunyai and C. interdigitalis from Loei Province in Northeastern Thailand. The metaphase and meiotic chromosome preparations were obtained by squash technique from bone marrow and testes, respectively. The chromosomes were stained by Giemsa staining and Ag-NOR-banding techniques. The results showed diploid chromosome number (2n) of 40 for C. kunyai and 42 for C. interdigitalis. The chromosome types of metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric and telocentric chromosomes were 8-4-0-28 and 4-2-4-32, respectively. The Ag-NORs banding technique provides the pair of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of both two species at telomeric region of the long arm of the pair 12, metacentric type in C. kunyai and telocentric type in C. interdigitalis. There are no sex differences in karyotypes between males and females of both two species. We found that during metaphase I on meiosis of C. kunyai and C. interdigitalis, the homologous chromosomes showed synapsis of 20 and 21 bivalents, respectively. Moreover, the meiotic phase on prophase II exhibited 20 and 21 haploid chromosome number (n) as respective diploid species. Their karyotype formulas is as follows: C. kunyai (2n = 40): Lm2 + Lsm4 + Lt4 + Mt6 + Sm6 + St18, and C. interdigitalis (2n = 42): La4 + Lt14 + Mt2 + Sm4 + Ssm2 + St16.

In this study, two species of Ornithogalum L. genus (Ornithogalum orthophyllum Ten. and Ornithogalum oligophyllum E. D. Clarke), one of the important genus of the Asparagaceae family, were examined in terms of karyological aspects. The plant materials used in the study were collected from the natural distribution areas of the plants around Elazığ 2019. Some of the collected samples were turned into herbarium samples and stocked in the FU herbarium. Bulbs obtained from the collected samples were used in cytotaxonomic studies. As a result of the studies carried out in dividing somatic cells, chromosome counts and karyotype analyzes of the species were made and their ideograms were drawn. Chromosome number were determined as 2n=20 and karyotype formula M+3m+3sm+3st in Ornithogalum oligophyllum, Ornithogalum orthophyllum species as 2n=14 and karyotype formula as 3m+2sm+2st.

Chromosome count, karyotypic character analysis, meiotic studies, monoploid karyograms and ideograms were performed in six taxa of Minuartia growing in Iraq (M. hamata, M. hybrida subsp. hybrida, M. intermedia, M. meyeri, M. picta and M. hybrida subsp. turcica). Species of M. hamata and M. meyeri showed 2n=2x=30 chromosome number, while M. hybrida subsp. hybrida and M. intermedia were diploid (26). The chromosome number (n=x) of six species was studied, and was found to be n=15 in M. hamata and M. meyeri, 13 in M. hybrida and M. intermedia, while in M. picta we recorded values of n= 11 and 14. Karyotype analysis of this species was first carried out in our study. Analysis of metaphases showed that the karyotype formula was mainly metacentric, submetacentric, and sub acrocentric. The sizes of the chromosomes were mainly small and very small. The course of meiosis varied from normal to abnormal. Abnormal microsporogenesis formation of two bridge chromosomes was detected in M. hamata and one bridge chromosome in M. intermedia and M. meyeri. Formation of laggard’s chromosomes was detected in M. hamata, M. meyeri and M. intermedia. As well as ring chromosome was showed in M. hybrida subsp. hybrida, also, some cells contain triad cell in metaphase stage instead four cells, as well as founded cell, contains two nuclei in same species which led to reduced pollen fertility and differences in pollen grain size.

We made a karyological study of cancer-cells in ascites of a case of gastric cancer, complicated with secondary liver-cancer and cancerous peritonitis. The results of observation about the number of chromosomes and the karyotype formula are as follows: 1. The number of the chromosomes of our observed human cancer cells ranged from 37 to 46 but most of them were between 44 and 46, especially a greater number of them being those containing 44. 2. Comparing the number of chromosomes in our observed human cancer cells with that of the chromosomes of the somatic cells in human bone-marrow, we found the former vary a little more than the latter in number, but on the whole both of them were found almost the same. 3. As for the karyotype formula, our observed human cancer cells comprised of 18 to 26 Jj-shaped chromosomes, of 10 to 20 rod shaped chromosomes, of 1 to 9 small V-shaped ones, of 3 to 4 large V-shaped ones. 4. As regards the constituent element of karyotype formula of our human cancer-cells, our special attention is attracted to the fact that the number of large V-shaped chromosomes is generally fixed, namely only one cell shows 3 V type and all the others have four large V-shaped chromosomes, and so they show 4 V type. 5. As regards the large V-shaped chromosomes in comparing the human cancer cells with the somatic cells in human bone-marrow, the somatic cell is 2 V type, while the human cancer cells show 4 V type, and so an increase in number is found.

As part of the evaluation and valorization of plant genetic resources of fodder and pastoral interest in Algeria, seventeen (17) natural populations belonging to six (06) species of the genus Vicia (Vicia sativa, Vicia disperma, Vicia monardii, Vicia ohchroleuca, Vicia onobrychioides and Vicia lutea), originated from different ecological regions in the North-Eastern of the country, were considered. The populations have been the subject of mitotic and meiotic studies. Haploid and diploid numbers and chromosome measurements were determined. Original results were observed for the first time in some species. In fact, chromosome counts have revealed some new chromosome numbers. The first number (2n=14, n=7) was observed in the endemic subspecies of Algeria, V. ochroleuca subsp. atlantica and in the species Vicia onobrychioides. The second number (n=6) was observed in the species Vicia disperma. Within Vicia monardii, the three new chromosome numbers, previously observed only in mitosis by our research team, were confirmed for the first time through the present meiosis study (n=6, 7 and 8), indicating that they are A type chromosomes. The base number x=7 is the most frequently observed number in the six Vicia species. The observed chromosome numbers would be related to some ecological factors (altitude, rainfall) of the origin environment of the populations. Chromosome measurements and established karyotypes were determined for the first time in V. monardii, V. onobrychioides and V. ochroleuca subsp. atlantica. Chromosome size and karyotype formula are variable among the studied species and subspecies. Karyotypes vary from symmetrical to asymmetrical and the intrachromosomal asymmetry is higher than interchromosomal one. The new cytogenetic data would contribute to a better understanding of the evolution mechanism of the species in the genus Vicia L.

Cytological studies were carried out for 13 taxa in the genus Iris from China, of which three species, namely L subdichotoma, L delavayi and L cuniculiformis were endemic to China. The chromosome numbers in somatic cells for each taxon were as follows: L subdichotoma, 2n=42; L japonica, 2n=34; L wattii, 2n=30; L laevigata, 2n=32; L ruthenica var. nana, 2n=42; L collettii, 2n=28; L dolichosiphon and L cuniculiformis, 2n=22; L bulleyana, L delavayi, L chrysographes, L forrestii, and L lactea var. chinensis, 2n=40. The chromosome number and karyotype of L cuniculiformis were reported here for the first time and its karyotype formula was 2n=22=4m+6sm+l2st(2SAT). The karyotype of L dolichosiphon was also firstly reported, whose karyotype formula was 2n=22=4m+12sm+6st. The chromosome number and karyotype of L subdichotoma was newly observed, whose karyotype formula was 2n=42=20m+22sm. Three populations of L ruthenica var. nana from different localities were investigated and all the three populations had the same chromosome numbers different than previously reported. The karyotype formulae for L ruthenica var. nana were shown as follows: Zhongdian population, 2n=42=30m+12sm (2SAT); Lijiang population, 2n=42=28m+l4sm(2SAT); Nixi population, 2n=42=36m+6sm (4SAT). In addition, the 2n chromosome numbers of three subgenera Limniris, Iris and Nepalensis in the genus Iris from present results and previous reports were summarized. The results showed that the chromosome number varied considerably in subgen. Nepalensis, in which L subdichotoma was possibly a key species between the genus Pardanthopsis and subgen. Nepalensis. Chromosome number of I. ruthenica was reported as 2n=84 which was twice as much as its variety I. ruthenica var. nana (2n=42) we observed. By comparing with related groups, L ruthenica is likely to derive from diploid group. Finally, variation of chromosome number and evolutional tendency of karyotype in the genus Iris were also discussed.

Calendula L. (Asteraceae) is a taxonomically and cytologically complex genus due to its high morphological and karyological variation. To gather consistent cytological information aiming to consolidate the existing knowledge, sustain the taxonomic revision of the genus and explore the evolutionary relationships among species, the genome size and chromosome number of the Iberian Peninsula representatives of this genus were assessed. The study included 11 taxa that occur in the Iberian Peninsula, one in Madeira and two from Morocco. Chromosome counts were made using the squash technique in root tips and flower buds, while nuclear DNA contents were assessed using propidium iodide flow cytometry. The following chromosome numbers are reported: 2n = 44 for C. arvensis, 2n = 30 for C. tripterocarpa, and 2n = 32 for the remaining Iberian taxa. The genome size of Calendula species was assessed for the first time and ranged from 1.75 pg/2C in C. maroccana to 5.41 pg/2C in C. arvensis. Within the complex formed by C. incana and C. suffruticosa, a gradient of genome size values was obtained. Intraspecific variation in genome size was detected in some taxa. The obtained genome size values and their variation are discussed in the light of the theories proposed for the speciation of the genus, with events of hybridization, genome duplication and dysploidy being hypothesized to play a major role in the evolution of this genus.

This study examines for the first time of karyotypic analysis and chromosomal characteristic of nucleolar organizer regions/NORs of Epinephelus sexfasciatus. The fish samples were collected from Andaman Sea, Phuket province, southern Thailand. The chromosomes were investigated using conventional Giemsa’s staining and Ag-NORs banding techniques. Fish chromosome preparations were conducted by squash technique from kidney. The results showed that the diploid chromosome number of E. sexfasciatus was 2n=48 and the fundamental number (NF, number of chromosome arms) was 48. The type of chromosomes included 24 large telocentric and 24 medium telocentric chromosomes. After Ag-NOR banding technique, single pair of NORs was observed on the short arm of medium telocentric chromosome pair 23. The idiogram shows gradually decreasing length of the chromosomes. A size difference of the largest and the smallest chromosomes is approximately two folds. The karyotype formula could be infered as: 2n(48) = 2n(48)= Lt24+Mt24.

This study analyzed the karyotype of Cyrtodactylus inthanon Kunya et al., 2015 from Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The metaphase and meiotic chromosome preparations were obtained by squash technique from bone marrow and testes, respectively. The chromosomes were stained by Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding and molecular cytogenetics with ?uorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using microsatellites d(CA)15, d(GC)15, d(CAG)10 and d(GAA)10 as probes. The results showed the diploid chromosome number (2n) of 40. The chromosome types of metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric and telocentric chromosomes were 12-4-2-22, respectively. The Ag-NORs banding technique provides the pair of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) on the telomeric region of the long arm of acrocentric pair 12. There are no sex differences in karyotypes between males and females. We also found that during metaphase I on meiosis of C. inthanon, the homologous chromosomes appeared synapsis of 20 bivalents. The microsatellite d(CA)15 signals were located on the sub-centromeric region of the metacentric pair 10, whereas the d(GC)15, d(CAG)10 and d(GAA)10 repeats are highly accumulated throughout almost all entire chromosomes. The karyotype formula is as follows: C. inthanon (2n = 40), Lm2 + Lsm4 + Lt6 + Mm2 + Mt8 + Sm8 + Sa2 + St8.

Karyotype analysis from four species of edible plants, namely one species from family Cannaceae (Canna indicaL.), one species including 2 variants from family Araceae (Colocasia esculenta(L.) Schott, green taro and black taro) and two species from family Apiaceae (Eryngium foetidum L. and Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.) in Maha Sarakham province, northeastern Thailand were determined from root tips. The results showed that the chromosome numbers and karyotype formulae were 2n= 28 = 14m + 10sm + 4st (2sat) with NF = 56 for green taro, 2n= 42 = 20m + 20sm + 2st (3sat) with NF = 84 for black taro, 2n = 18 = 18sm with NF = 36 for Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., 2n = 16 = 2m +14 sm with NF = 32 for Eryngium foetidum L., 2n= 27 = 2m + 25sm with NF = 54 for Canna indica L. Both taros had differences in the chromosome numbers and karyotype formulae. The chromosomes of both taros were the asymmetrical karyotype. While, the chromosome structure of both taros, including the number of metacentric, submetacentric and subtelocentric as well as the position of satellite-chromosomes, were found to be different, which indicated inter-and intra-specific variations in this species. Therefore, the chromosome number, karyotype formula, chromosome structure, position of satellite-chromosomes and idiogram can be used for classification of both taros in this study. Moreover, idiograms of both taros were reported for the first time. The karyotype, NF, RL, CI and ideogram of Centella asiatica(L.) Urb., Eryngium foetidum L. and Canna indica L. were reported for the first time.

To date, the chromosome numbers of 11 species of schistosomes in six genera are known. They range from 2n = 14 to 2n = 18 with 9 species having the diploid number equal to 16 (Short and Menzel, 1960, J. Parasitol. 46: 273-287; Southgate and Knowles, 1977, Z. Parasitenk. 54: 233-250; Atkinson, 1980, Can. J. Genet. Cytol. 22: 143-147). Our study verifies the chromosome number of Gigantobilharzia huronensis and presents for the first time, chromosome numbers for Schistosoma bovis, S. intercalatum, and S. mattheei. The squash technique was used to determine chromosome numbers and observe chromosome morphology. Testes of adult worms were used to demonstrate meiosis. The intramolluscan stages were employed to observe mitotic metaphases (see LoVerde, 1979, Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc. 98: 280-285 for details). The diploid chromosome number 16 was determined from more than 30 mitotic metaphase cells from the intramolluscan stages of at least 20 Gigantobilharzia huronensis (Fig. 1) obtained from snails maintained in the laboratory. This verifies the number reported by Short and Menzel (loc. cit.) from a single, naturally infected snail. The longest chromosome measured about 4.4 /um while the shortest measured about 1.3 /m. Examination of meiotic metaphases derived from testes showed Schistosoma bovis, S. intercalatum, and S. mattheei to exhibit 8 pairs of chromosomes (Fig. 2). This brings the number of schistosome species subjected to chromosome counts to 14 and demonstrates that the family Schistosomatidae is conservative as regards chromosome numbers. This work was supported, in part, by the 2