Chromosome numbers of some terrestrial orchids in Chile

Abstract

Chromosome numbers and ploid levels in 12 species and two hybrids in two orchid genera as Chloraea and Gavilea from Chile were investigated. The chromosome numbers of nine species and one hybrid were commonly 2n=44 or ca.44 (diploid), while those of three species were 2n=88 or ca.88 (tetraploid). One hybrid crossed between plants of diploid and tetraploid was 2n=66 (triploid). Two genera of Chloraea and Gavilea were closely related to each other cytologically with the basic chromosome number of x=22 and the karyomorphology of the simple chromocenter type at resting stage. In addition, the speciation of these members might be occurred and correlated with the diversification of their karyotype and the polyploidization.