C-band Polymorphism in the Karyotype of Paris tetraphylla A. Gray (Liliaceae)

Abstract

Paris tetraphylla is a small perennial herb which usally grows in the broad-leaved deciduous forest of the Japanese Islands. The gross morphology of this endemic species is very polymorphic, so a variety of local forma such as angustifolia Miq., corollata Mizushima, sessiliflora Hara, penduliflora Yamanaka, and yakushimensis Masamune has been described in earlier studies. While within the typical form tetraphylla evident morphological geocline in folial and floral organs was reported (Hara and Kanai 1958, Kawano et al. 1980). The cytology of this species was studied by some authors and reported as 2n=10 (Gotoh 1933, Haga 1934, 1942, 1961, Stow 1935, Kurabayashi 1952, 1958, Kurabayashi and Samejima 1953, Kura-bayashi et al. 1958, Kayano 1961, Noda 1963, Suzuki and Yoshimura 1985). However, in some plants 4 to 7 B-chromosomes were observed (Haga 1961, Kayano 1961). The standard karyotype consists of three pairs of metacentric chromosome, a pair of submetacentric chromosome and a pair of acrocentric chromosome with a satellite on its small arm. Moreover, some heterochromatic regions were detected in chilled chromosomes (Kurabayashi 1952, Kurabayashi and Samejima 1953, Noda 1963). Any information on C-banding patterns in this species, however, has not been reported yet. Therefore, we studied these patterns and the heterochromatin content in many populations, and found very complicated intraspecific variations which we will discuss in this paper. © 1990, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.