Diversity of chromosome numbers and meiotic studies in genus Anchusa (Boraginaceae) from Iran (10 Nov 2015)

Abstract

The present study reports the chromosome number and meiotic behaviour of 14 populations<br />belonging to four taxa of Anchusa subgenus Buglossum Gusul. from Iran. All populations<br />showed the chromosome number 2n= 4x= 32. It is the first meiotic study for A. subg.<br />Buglossum. We discuss some habit form and evolutionary aspect in the light of cytogenetic<br />data. The origin of polyploidy (auto-allopolyploidy) were also surveyed. As the result of the<br />present study and reviewing the chromosome numbers in Anchusa subg. Buglossum and A.<br />subg. Buglossoides Gusul. in Iran, it can be concluded that polyploidy is the major force<br />modeling the chromosome evolution within these subgenera. Almost all the studied taxa<br />displayed regular bivalent pairing and chromosome segregation at meiosis. However, some<br />meiotic abnormalities observed in different taxa are discussed here.