Cytology of some north indian ferns

Abstract

Chromosome numbers in fourteen fern species from North India are reported. Of these, 12 taxa are diploids and 3 tetraploids. The present study brings out the existence in the Himalayas of two sexual cytotypes (2x and 4x) within two well established species, namely, Aspleniunt tyichomanes and Athyrinm setiferum. On the basis of morphological characters the different races do not meirt any taxonomic status. These, however, exhibit a great difference in spore size. The tetraploid individuals always possess large spores as compared to the diploid ones. © 1967, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.