Molecular cytogenetic evidence of hybridization in the “purple corolla clade of the genus Capsicum ” ( C. eximium × C. cardenasii )

Abstract

A hybrid individual between two taxa from "the Purple Corolla clade of the genus Capsicum", C. eximium x C. cardenasii (2n = 24) was found during a cytogenetic study of a population belonging to C. cardenasii cytotype 1, from Bolivia. 5S and 45S rDNA probes were located on mitotic chromosomes by fluorescent in situ hybridization. The hybrid haploid karyotype length was an average value of thetwo taxa; the hybrid presented 24 45S loci in the diploid complement, 18 45S sites belonged to C. cardenasii cytotype 2, and six came from C. eximium cytotype 2, although this cytotype of C. eximium has been mentioned only for Argentina. Whereas hybrids were previously reported in the purple flowergroup, their existence has not been cytologically corroborated. This finding constitutes the first molecular cytogenetic evidence of hybridization between two taxa from this group.