Intrapopulation and individual polymorphism of heterochromatin segments in Trillium csmschstcense Ker.-Gawl.

Abstract

The present work reports the study of the topography and the size of the heterochromatin segments (H-segments) in the chromosomes of the plant of Trillium camschatcense Ker.-Gawl. from a Kamchatka population with the help, of a special chromosome analysis, computer program. The staining techniques used are C- banding and fluorochroming with Hoechst 33258. A high level of hereditary polymorphism as well as somatic chromosome aberrations appearing de novo has been found. The heterochromatin of Trillium camschatcense appears to be of a polymorphic labile system creating a wide variation spectrum within the population. It is postulated that it could be the onset of divergences into separate forms and the subsequent creation of new species. © 1995 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.