Chromosome characterization and variability in some iridaceae from Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

The chromosomes of 15 species of Iridaceae of the genera Alophia, Cipura, Eleutherine, Neomaricaand Trimezia (subfamily Iridoideae) were examined after conventional Giemsa staining. The karyotypes of Alophia drummondii (2n= 14+1B, 28,42and 56),Cipura paludosa(2n=14),C. xanthomelas(2n= 28) andEleutherine bulbosa(2n=12) were asymmetric; Neomarica candida, N. caerulea, N. humilis, N. glauca, N. gracilis, N. northianaand Neomarica sp.(2n= 18);N.cf.paradoxa(2n=28),Trimezia fosteriana(2n= 52),T. martinicensis(2n= 54) andT. connata(2n= 82) were all generally symmetric. New diploid numbers of 2n= 56 for Alophia drummondii, 2n= 18 forN.candida,N. humilis,N. glauca, andN. gracilis, 2n= 28 forN.cf.paradoxa, and 2n= 82 forT. connataare reported. The karyotypic evolution of the studied species is discussed. © 2011, Sociedade Brasileira de Genética.