Somatic Karyotype Analysis of Uvularia floridana Chapman (Liliaceae)

Abstract

This, the first investigation of the somatic karyotype of Uvularia floridana, was based on 200 cells from 2 clones and has shown a stablized 2n=12 number which differs from the 2n=14 counts that characterize the other species of Uvularia. This 2n=12 number represents a derived aneuploid reduction in the genus. For U. floridana, each of the 6 pairs is readily distinguishable. Pairs 1-4 form a sub-telocentric series with decreasing size. Pair 5 is submetacentric and also the nucleolar organizing (NOR) pair. (NOR chromosomes have not been reported for the other species of the genus.) Pair 6 is the smallest and subtelocentric. The karyotype is highly asymmetrical. To the derived karyology of U. floridana can be added its derived morphology and restricted geographical distribution.