Abstract
Genome size is a helpful tool for circumscribing taxa at diverse taxonomic degrees (mostly species) and resolving intricate low-level taxonomies. The correct genome size in Hedera (Araliaceae) has long been discussed, and the ploidy levels of some taxa are still unclear. Twelve accessions of Hedera were measured via flow cytometry. Flow cytometry is a relatively rapid, inexpensive, and credible tool. Fresh leaves of Hedera samples and internal reference standard parsley (Petroselinum crispum) were stained with propidium iodide (PI). Flow cytometry measurements showed that for the accessions of 2CV (3.09 - 6.40 pg), the lowest amount of nuclear DNA was 3.09 pg for Hedera crebrescens (So), while the highest amount was 6.40 pg for H. hibernica “Hamilton,” representing a statistically significant difference. According to this study, the new taxon (H. crebrescens) is a diploid, though this taxon was previously considered H. hibernica (tetraploid).
Highlights
Hedera L. is an evergreen woody vine native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but it is cultivated worldwide (Rose 1996; Reichard 2000; Ackerfield and Wen 2002, 2003)
Nuclear suspension was filtered through a nylon mesh (25 μm) to remove debris and stained with Propidium Iodide (PI) at a final density 100 μg. mL−1 and complemented with 100 μg. mL−1 ribonuclease A (RNAs). 1C-value was calculated based on the converting formula (Dolezel et al 2003) [1pg=978 mega base pairs (Mbp)]
A statistically insignificant difference of 0.24 pg was observed between four tetraploids while a statistically significant difference in 2C-value (0.64 pg) in the range of 5.76-6.40 pg is noticed between H. hibernica ‘‘Variegata’’ (5.76 pg) and H. hibernica ‘‘Hamilton’’ (6.40 pg)
Summary
Hedera L. is an evergreen woody vine native to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, but it is cultivated worldwide (Rose 1996; Reichard 2000; Ackerfield and Wen 2002, 2003). The taxonomic history of the Hedera taxa is complicated because of its two-part life cycle, extensive geographic distribution. Juvenile phase with palmately lobed leaves on steril stems and adult phase with unlobed cordate adult leaves on fertile flowering stems. (Rose 1996; Rutherford et al 1993; Ackerfield and Wen 2002). Taxonomic recognition was first afforded to juvenile and adult plants, which were described by Linnaeus (1753) as “H. helix L.” and “H. arborea (L.) Walter.”. Later studies on Hedera have suggested that these five species should be subdivided into more species (Ackerfield 2001)
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