DNA content in Tradescantia

There is a wide variation in the nuclear DNA content and chromosome size between the species belonging to the T. crassifolia and T. virginiana alliances (all the species but one are native to Central and North America). Also the DNA content per genome decreases when the ploidy level increases within the same specific polyploid complex with three ploidy levels (2x, 4x, and 6x). In contrast, no variation was found in the DNA content per genome between different ploidy levels in the T. fluminensis alliance (all the species are native to South America) where they range from 6x to 22x. Since all the species described here are perennials with various life forms, it was possible to analyze the relationship between the DNA content and their vegetative adaptation to the environment. The more specialized species (geophytes and hemicryptophytes) have a higher amount of DNA than the chamaephytes adapted to live in relatively more mesic regions. In the species living in Central and North America there is a positive correlation between the increase in DNA content and the latitude of their native regions.Key words: Tradescantia, DNA content, geographical distribution, life forms, polyploidy.