Diversity and cytological studies of the Genus Amomum Roxb. former Elettariopsis Baker (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand

Saensouk P, Saensouk S. 2021. Diversity and cytological studies on the genus Amomum Roxb. former Elettariopsis Baker (Zingiberaceae) in Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 3209-3218. A comprehensive diversity and cytological studies of the genus Amomum Roxb. in Thailand have not been reported. This work aims to study the diversity and cytological including chromosome numbers and karyotypes of the genus Amomum Roxb. former Elettariopsis Bakerin Thailand. Ten species of Amomum were recognized from Thailand. Nomenclatures, vernacular names, distribution, ecology, and traditional utilization are provided. Only Amomum wandokthong is widely cultivated in all parts in Thailand. Four living species, i.e. Amomum curtisii, A. monophyllum, A. trilobum, and A. wandokthong have been collected from field trips. Therefore, the somatic chromosome numbers from four species of this genus were studied from root tips. The somatic chromosome numbers of each species in this study were counted from 20 cells. The karyotype formulas were derived from measurements of the metaphase chromosomes in photomicrographs. The chromosome numbers of four species were found to be 2n = 48. Karyotypes of four species were reported to be Amomum curtisii (32m + 8sm + 8st), A. monophyllum (26m + 12sm + 10st), A. trilobum (18m + 24sm + 6st), and A. wandokthong (28m + 16sm + 4st with five visible satellites chromosomes). The chromosome numbers of A. monophyllum and A. wandokthong were reported for the first time. The karyotypes of four species were studied for the first time.

Notes on Allium section Rhizirideum (Amaryllidaceae) in South Korea and northeastern China: with a new species from Ulleungdo Island

Allium section Rhizirideum is reviewed for South Korea and neighboring northeastern China based on critical observation of wild populations and herbarium materials. Species delimitations are re-evaluated on the basis of morphological and somatic chromosome numbers, resulting in the recognition of five species. Allium dumebuchum from Ulleungdo Island, South Korea, is described as a new species. This species is most similar to A. senescens due to its habits, but is clearly distinguished particularly by its rhomboid scapes in cross-secion, light purple perianth color, entire and narrowly triangular inner filaments, and flowering season from late September. One previously recognized species is placed into synonymy: A. pseudosenescens (under A. senescens). Photographs and a key to species of Allium section Rhizirideum in South Korea and northeastern China are provided in addition to information on nomenclatural types, synonymies, chromosome numbers, distribution, and specimens examined.

Polyploidy in the Ginger Family from Thailand

Polyploidy is common in the ginger family Zingiberaceae. The aims of the present paper are (1) to provide a general introduction on species diversity with emphasis on conservation; (2) to highlight the human-use significance of this family, focusing on the two major genera, Zingiber (ginger) and Curcuma (turmeric); (3) to present chromosome number data from 45 natural and cultivated Curcuma taxa from Thailand, of which polyploids are predominant; and (4) to describe our own work on cytotaxonomy of selected Thai Curcuma species. We obtained somatic chromosome numbers from root tips and analysed meiotic chromosome behaviour from flowers. We also used the molecular cytogenetic method of ribosomal gene mapping on chromosomes to infer mechanism of polyploidization and reveal genomic relationships among closely related species. The main results of our cytogenetic studies include the following. The most sought-after medicinal Curcuma cultivars growing on a large-scale basis are secondary triploids, so as taxa in natural habitats that are harvested for local utilisation. These triploids are sexually deficient, due to meiotic pairing abnormalities, but they are propagated asexually via rhizomes. The ribosomal mapping results indicate natural triploidization process via hybridisation, either within populations or across the species boundaries.

Chromosome numbers, RAPD and ISSR profiles of six Zingiber species found in Manipur, India

Bidyaleima L, Kishor R, Sharma GJ. 2019. Chromosome numbers, RAPD and ISSR profiles of six Zingiber species found in Manipur, India. Biodiversitas 20: 1389-1397. The present investigation was done to assess the cytological information and genetic relationships among six species of Zingiber, viz., Zingiber capitatum, Z. kangleipakense, Z. kerrii, Z. montanum, Z. officinale and Z. zerumbet found in Manipur, North-East India. The somatic chromosome numbers observed were 2n = 22 for Zingiber capitatum, Z. kerrii, Z. montanum, Z. officinale and Z. zerumbet, whereas Z. kangleipakense showed tetraploidy with 2n = 44. The somatic chromosome numbers of Zingiber kangleipakense and Z. kerrii are reported for the first time. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-specific sequence repeat (ISSR) molecular markers were employed to reveal the genetic relationships among the six species. The pair-wise Jaccard genetic similarity varied from 0.518 to 0.658 for RAPD and from 0.436 to 0.682 for ISSR data. Dendrogram derived from the combined data of RAPD and ISSR clustered the six members into two groups. The detected polymorphism level represents high genetic distance at the inter-species level, and introduces RAPD and ISSR as efficient markers for the assessment of genetic relatedness in Zingiber. Our results may provide useful information for application in breeding, conservation and utilization.

Chromosome Numbers in 11 Species of Taraxacum Section Erythrosperma Dt. from Poland

Karyology of eleven species of Taraxacum sect. Erythrosperma from Poland has been studied. Somatic chromosome numbers are given for the following species: T. bellicum, T. brachyglossum, T. cristatum, T. disseminatum, T. dissimile, T. lacistophyllum, T. parnassicum, T. plumbeum, T. proximum, T. scanicum, and T. tenuilobum. Although the hypertriploid chromosome number was previously reported in Poland for T. lacistophyllum, T. parnassicum, T. scanicum, and T. tenuilobum, we proved the triploid chromosome number 2n = 24 in all the species investigated, which is consistent with the data reported from other regions of Europe. The chromosome numbers of T. bellicum, T. cristatum, T. disseminatum, T. dissimile, T. plumbeum, and T. proximum growing in Poland are published for the first time.

Anatomical, palynological and karyological remarks of Silene brevicalyx and Silene ozyurtii (Caryophyllaceae)

Anatomical, palynological, karyological and morphological seed characters of Silene brevicalyx and S. ozyurtii (Caryophyllaceae) were investigated for the first time. S. brevicalyx grows on serpentine rocky slopes and open forest in Muğla province (southwestern Turkey), while S. ozyurtii is an East Mediterranean element growing on serpentine stony slopes and again open forest. Anatomically, cross-section of root of both species have a periderm as the protective tissue at the outermost layer and locally druse crystals are encountered in cortex layer. Stems have a thick well-developed sclerenchyma layer. The walls of outward sclerenchyma cells are wider than the walls of inward cells. Leaves are equifacial. Pollen are prolate-spheroidal, symmetry radially, polarity apolar, with aperture periporate, ornamentation microechinate-perforate. Seeds of both species are reniform, with surface concave and granulation coarse-medium, hylar zone recessed, dark-brown or fuscous coloured. Somatic chromosome numbers of 2n = 24 were found for both taxa. The karyotypes are analyzed for the first time for S. brevicalyx and S. ozyurtii. Ideograms of these taxa were drawn by use of an Image Analysis System.

Morphological and Anatomical Characterization of Solidago × niederederi and Other Sympatric Solidago Species

Two species of invasive goldenrods, Solidago canadensis and Solidago gigantea, are spread over all territories of Lithuania. Solidago × niederederi, a putative hybrid between S. canadensis and native Solidago virgaurea, was found in 27 populations mixed with the parental species. This research represents the characterization of S. × niederederi in comparison to the other mentioned Solidago species, with the use of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal-components analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis of a large data set. Twenty quantitative, four qualitative, and five ratio morphological and anatomical characteristics, pollen viability, and somatic chromosome numbers of the four Solidago species were studied with the aim to ascertain inter- and intraspecific variation and reliable features identifying S. × niederederi, and to test the hypothesized hybrid origin. The PCA of morphological and anatomical characteristics showed the clear intermediate position of S. × niederederi compared to S. canadensis and S. virgaurea. The results showed that the most informative characteristics for the distinction of hybrids from parental species are floral traits such as the lengths of the disc, ray florets, and involucre. The intermediate stomatal characteristics and sharply decreased pollen viability discovered herein could potentially be used as an additional discriminating character in Solidago hybrid identification and support the hybrid origin of S. × niederederi.

Badania kariologiczne nad dwoma gatunkami rodzaju Sparganium L. [Karyological studies in two species of the genus Sparganium]

The somatic chromosome numbers 2n = 30 for <em>Sparganium neglectum</em> and <em>S. minimum</em> was established. The karyotype of the first species consist of 8 iso- and 7 heterobronchial chromosomes and the reverse is true for the second species. In metabolic nuclei 30 chromocentres are visible.

NEW CHROMOSOME COUNTS OFBERBERISL. (BERBERIDACEAE) SUGGEST THAT POLYPLOIDY DOES NOT PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE DIVERSIFICATION OF THE GENUS IN THE NEPAL HIMALAYA

Chromosomes were counted for nine of the 24 taxa ofBerberis(Berberidaceae) from Nepal, five of which were counted for the first time. The results show that all these species have somatic chromosome numbers of 2n= 28. The absence of polyploids suggests that polyploidy may not have been a major driver of speciation and diversification ofBerberisin the Nepal Himalaya.

Cytological and reproductive aspects in the Caespitosa group of Paspalum

Somatic chromosome numbers are reported for thirty four germplasm accessions of Paspalum, Caespitosa group, representing five different species. All five species have shown x=10 as the basic chromosome number. The diploid 2n=20 chromosome number was confirmed for P. chacoense and P. indecorum, as well as sexuality for the latter. This is the first report of the chromosome number and cytological behavior for P. ligulare (2n=20 and 40), P. pleostachyum (2n=20, 30 and 40) and P. redondense (2n=20 and 40). The present results document regular meiosis in diploid accessions, with primarily bivalent pairing at diakinesis and metaphase I. Polyploids of these species had irregular meiosis, with univalent, trivalent, and quadrivalent chromosome associations. Diploid accessions of P. pleostachyum and P. ligulare have shown a single meiotic embryo-sac, indicating sexual reproduction, while the triploid and one of the tetraploid accessions of P. pleostachyum have shown aposporic embryo-sacs of nucelar origin, and a few meiotic sacs, suggesting facultative apomixis. Identification of the new diploid accessions may prove useful for phylogenetic studies of Paspalum, as well as for breeding programs focusing on the forage potential of species of the Caespitosa group.