Chromosome Counts of Six Korean Carex Species (Cyperaceae)

Abstract

The meiotic chromosome numbers of six Carex species in three sections are counted; C. miyabei Franch. (n=42_II) in sect. Carex, C. breviculmis R. Br. (n=31_II, 32_II, 33_II), C. polyschoena H. Lév. & Vaniot (n=36_II, 37_II), C. sabynensis Less. ex Kunth (n=27_II, 28_II) in sect. Mitratae Kük., and C. heterolepis Bunge (n=37_II, 38_II, 40_II) and C. forficula Franch. & Sav. (n=25_II, 27_II) in sect. Phacocystis Dumort. The chromosome counts for C. miyabei, C. heterolepis, and C. forficula from Korean populations are verified for the first time. Considered with previous reports, all the species exhibit variations in chromosome number from n=4 to n=36. Contiguous variation in chromosome numbers and non-constricted meiotic chromosomes with holocentromeric nature suggest that aneuploidy and/or agmatoploidy and/or symploidy should have played an important role in the sections.