Chromosomes of some argentine angiosperms and their taxonomic significance

Abstract

Meiotic or mitotic chromosomes of eleven species of angiosperms native in Argentina, belonging to seven families, were studied in order to be used in cytotaxonomic studies and gain some insights on the evolutive relationships of the different groups. Most of our data were the first cytological information for the species. The genus Alvaradoa Liebm. was investigated cytologically for the first time. The novel karyologically studied species, all diploid, were: Bomarea macrocephala Pax and Bomarea stans Kränz. 2n = 18, Loasa bergii Hieron. 2n = 26, Alvaradoa subovata Cronquist 2n = 16, Schizanthus grahamii Gillies 2n = 20, Viola montagnei Gay and Viola roigii Rossow 2n = 14. The same numbers to the ones previously reported in the literature were found from different populations of Cajophora chuquitensis (Meyen) Urb. & Gilg. 2n = 18, Ramorinoa girolae Speg. 2n = 20, and Schizanthus grahamii Gillies 2n = 20. The presence of supernumerary chromosomes, 0 to 6, in Ligaria cuneifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Tiegh., 2n = 20, was recorded. Data are compared with previously published results and chromosome figures of all studied species are provided.