Characterization of the Species Epidendrum cinnabarium Salzm. (Epidendroideae: Orchidaceae) Occurring in Dunas Do Abaeté-Salvador, Ba-Brasil

Abstract

This work has as its purpose to analyze the Epidendrum cinnabarium species, which can be found within the “Environment Protection Area of Abaeté Lakes and Dunes” (“Área de Proteção Ambiental das Lagoas e Dunas de Abaeté”)-APA/Abaeté, Salvador, Bahia State-Brazil. As for the cytogenetic aspects it aims at determining the chromosome number, on the ploidy level, the types of interphasic nuclei, and at evaluating the possible meiotic irregularities of this species. In the mitotic analysis, radicular meristem has been pre-treated with 8-hydroxyquinoline and colored with aid of the Feulgen method. In order to carry out the meiotic analysis, microsporocytes were prepared by squashing and staining with 0.2% propionic carmine. The results showed 2n>240, suggesting the occurrence of poliploidy, an interphasic nucleus of the semi-reticulate type with the presence of chromocenters displaying a variable number, besides an irregular meiotic behavior, with the presence of laggard chromosomes and laggard chromatids, as well eventually anaphasic bridges and a low percentage of abnormal tetrads.