Cytotaxonomic Studies on Chara socotrensis Nordst. in Kuhn f. nuda (Pal) R.D.W. from West Bengal, India

Abstract

The present paper deals with a detailed cytological investigations of Chara socotrensis Nordst. in Kuhn f. noda (Pal) R.D.W. (=Chara nuda Pal) collected from a puddle at Mecheda, West Bengal, India which show some variations in vege-tative and reproductive features from the type specimen. Twentyeight chromo-somes can be seen in dividing nuclei in the antheridial filaments in contrast to the number n=14 reported earlier. A comparative analysis of vegetative and repro-ductive parts of the present specimen with those of other plants previously described from Burma and India indicate that the overall giganticism is perhaps related to its polyploid constitution. However, the karyotype of this plant reveals a number of distinctive characters, such as, the presence of two long chromosomes with supernumerary constrictions and two long chromosomes with satellites which have not been previously recorded in any Chara species. Taking morphological and cytological features together it appears that the present specimen may well be regarded as a distinct species. However, further detailed study of the karyotypes of other populations is required before a final conclusion be made regarding its taxonomic status.