Breeding systems and cytology in Cyprian populations of six Limonium species (Plum-baginaceae)

Abstract

The reproductive mechanisms and chromosome numbers have been investigated of the Cyprian endemics Limonium cyprium and L. mucronulatum, as well as of L. aucheri, L. avei, L. meyeri and L virgatum, which also occur on the island of Cyprus. Their taxonomy is considered and the correlation between their breeding systems and cytology is discussed. L. aucheri and L. cyprium are apomictic and their chromosome numbers, 2n=5x=43 and 2n=3x=27 respectively, are reported here for the first time. For L. mucronulatum no chromosome number could be established, but pollen and stigma features indicate that it is apomictic too. L. meyeri is sexual with 2n=2x= 18 (first report), while L. avei and L. virgatum are apomictic with 2n=3x=27. © 2012 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem.