Chromosome Studies in Indian Pandanales

Abstract

The present work deals with the cytology and karyotype analysis of the seven species of the order Pandanales belonging to the three genera-Pandanus, Typha and Sparganium under three distinct families. The karyotypic studies show 2n=60 chromosomes in case of Pandanus and 2n=30 chromosomes in case of Typha and Sparganium. Meiotic studies in only one species of Sparganium show regular 15 bivalents.
The uniformity in chromosome number with extremely small size is the characteristic features of the three genera. In Sparganium and Typha the chromosome number is 2n=30, whereas in Pandanus it is 2n=60. The chromosome morphology of the different species of the genera shows slight differences in their structure particularly in the number of satellited chromosomes.
Cytological studies show the close affinities of the three genera thus supporting Engler and Prantl's contention. However they also indicate their advanced status, thus supporting Hutchinson's view.