Chromosomes of four species in three genera of Commelinaceae from China and their systematic implications

Authors: YUAN, QIONG; YANG, QIN-ER

Source: Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Volume 152, Number 3, November 2006 , pp. 399-403(5)

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Abstract:

Chromosomes of four species in three genera of Commelinaceae from China were examined. Spatholirion longifolium had 2n = 20. This small genus is considered to be of a possible polyploid origin based on x = 5, a basic number shared by its closest ally, the monospecific genus Streptolirion, with its only species having 2n = 10. The two genera were found to be very different from each other in their karyotypic constitution. The differences in both chromosome number (2n = 20 vs. 10) and karyotypic constitution support their separation as two independent genera. The remaining three species, Amischotolype hispida, Porandra ramosa and P. scandens, all had 2n = 36. In view of the occasional occurrence of 2n = 18 in the African Coleotrype, a genus very close to Amischotolype and Porandra in gross morphology, these three species are all very probably polyploid based on x = 9. The high degree of karyotypic similarity of the three genera also strongly indicates their close affinity and supports their placement in the subtribe Coleotrypinae. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 152, 399-403.

Keywords: Aëthiolirion; Amischotolype; Coleotrype; karyotype; Porandra; Spatholirion; Streptolirion

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2006.00570.x

Publication date: 2006-11-01