Chromosome Number and Karyotype Study in Eight Species of Crotalaria

抄録

For the first time the karyotype study is made in the species investigated here. These include one tetraploid taxon also. There are six types of chromosomes in them. All the species studied here excepting C. ferruginea var. β. pilosissima show a pair or two submedian chromosomes with interstitial satellites. On the basis of karyology, C. ferrugiena var. β. pilosissima, C. Wightiana and C. nitens are relatively primitive when compared to C. barkae and C. Grahamiana. The intermediate position is occupied by C. shevaroyensis, C. Leschenaultii and C. orixensis. The inter-relationship among the species is reticulate. The tetraploid C. nitens has closely related genomes. It is possible to say that speciation and evolution in the genus is mostly due to structural changes. The basic number for the genus x=8 is supported by this work.