Karyotype Analysis of Two Varieties of Paronychia amani (Caryophyllaceae, Paronychioideae)

Abstract

The chromosome number and karyotype analysis of Paroncyhia amani var. amani and P. amani var. minutiflora are described for the first time. The diploid chromosome numbers and karyotype formulae are 2n = 4x = 36 = 32m + 4sm in taxa. The karyotypes are symmetrical type including metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. The small chromosomes varied from 0.96 μm (var. amani) to 2.74 μm (var. minutiflora). P. amani var. amani and P. amani var. minutiflora are very little different varieties morphologically. There are some similarities between varieties in the karyological data. (i) equal number of chromosomes, (ii) same karyotype formula, (iii) very close karyotype asymmetry values, (iv) polyploidy by ploidy level of 4x. These seem to support morphological closeness.