A cytogenetic analysis of the chromosomes in two related species of the genus Muscari (Liliaceae)

Abstract

Muscari comosum L. and Muscari matritensis Ruiz Rejón et al. are two closely related species of the subgenus Leopoldia, belonging to the genus Muscari (Liliaceae). Cytogenetic analyses have been made to analyse the differences between these species. Major differences are that M. comosum has four or five dark intercalary 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) positive C-bands in the first chromosome pair, whereas M. matritensis has only three thin bands. Muscari comosum has a large chromomycin A3 positive C-band in the fifth, nucleolus organizing region (NOR) bearing chromosome pair, whereas M. matritensis has the CMA3-positive band and the NOR in the short arm of the second pair. The possible role played by occurrences of translocations and amplifications in the chromosomal evolution of these species is discussed.Key words: Muscari, Liliaceae, karyotypes, evolution.