The chromosomes of New Zealand Schoenus species analysed by differential banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract

The seven New Zealand species of Schoenus (Cyperaceae) with holocentric chromosomes were analysed by staining their chromosomes with CMA₃/DAPI for fluorochrome banding. Variability in the banding pattern was found among the species studied. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to locate ribosomal DNAs and Arabidopsis-type telomeric sequences. Variation in the number of rDNA signal sites was observed, although the position of these sites was conserved. The Arabidopsis-type (TTTAGGG)_n telomeric sequences hybridized on both ends of all chromosomes.