Karyological relationship of Ranunculus sundaicus (Backer) Eichler (Ranunculaceae) in Java to Ranunculus silerifolius Lév. in the Japanese archipelago

Abstract

Ranunculus sundaicus (Backer) Eichler (2n=16) from Java was karyologically and cytogenetically analyzed in relation to R. silerifolius Lév. (2n=16) from the Japanese Archipelago. Both the karyotype and external morphology of R. sundaicus was similar to those of the R. silerifolius Mugi-type. In addition, the behavior of meiotic chromosomes in the (R. sundaicus × R. silerifolius Mugi-type) F₁ hybrid was normal. It is concluded, therefore, that R. sundaicus is a synonym and a relic species of R. silerifolius. A higher plant growing on Java is karyologically defined for the first time in relation to R. silerifolius of the Japanese archipelago.