Comparative karyotype analysis of populations in the Alstroemeria presliana Herbert (Alstroemeriaceae) complex in Chile

Abstract

Alstroemeria L., one of the most diverse genera of the Chilean flora and of high floricultural value, is represented by 35 species, most of them distributed between 28–38° S in the Mediterranean zone of Central Chile. There are 24 complex-forming taxa, of which 18 have conservation problems (8 are considered “endangered” and 10 as “vulnerable”). One of these complexes is Alstroemeria presliana Herb. with two subspecies: subsp. presliana and subsp. australis Bayer. Alstroemeria presliana grows in Chile and Argentina: subsp. presliana is distributed from Reserva Nacional Siete Tazas (35°27′ S, Region of Maule) to Antuco, (37°25′ S, Region of Bío-Bío), and is also found in Neuquén, Argentina; subsp. australis is endemic to the Cordillera of Nahuelbuta. A comparative karyotype study was carried out among six populations of A. presliana subsp. presliana and five populations of A. presliana subsp. australis. The eleven populations presented an asymmetric karyotype, with 2n = 2× = 16 chromosomes but with different karyotype formulae. A. presliana subsp. presliana shows the haploid formula 2m + 2m-sat + 1sm-sat + 1st-sat + 1t + 1 t-sat, and A. preslianasubsp. australis presents a formula 1m + 2m-sat + 1sm + 2t + 2t-sat chromosomes. The architecture of the karyotype between the subspecies is very different. The scatter plot among CVCL vs. MCA shows different groupings between populations of the two subspecies. According to the results obtained it is possible to consider raising Alstroemeria presliana subsp. australis at species level.

Descending Dysploidy and Bidirectional Changes in Genome Size Accompanied Crepis (Asteraceae) Evolution

“…There is evidence that most, if not all, angiosperms are ancient polyploids [ 4 ]. Dysploidy involves various types of structural rearrangements of chromosomes, which often result in decreases or increases in chromosome numbers [ 5 , 6 ]. The chromosome morphology can also be altered by the amplification/loss of DNA sequences [ 7 ].…”

Cytotaxonomic study of the Chilean endemic complex Alstroemeria magnifica Herb. (Alstroemeriaceae)

“…, 2009 ; Baeza et al. , 2010 , 2015 , 2016a , b ). In this case, these changes would be further supported, as cytological data is integrated and contextualized with preliminary results observed from additional character sources (chloroplast DNA, colorimetric variation and morphometry of tepals; Carrasco et al .…”

“…Traditional taxonomic treatments in Alstroemeria have largely been based on patterns of variability of their conspicuous flowers, which present tepals with a wide display of morphological and coloring patterns ( Bayer, 1987 ; Muñoz and Moreira, 2003 ). These structures, while useful for discrimination at interspecific levels, usually exhibit levels of variation beyond levels of stability required for a robust taxonomic discrimination in several groups of species ( Baeza et al , 2010 , 2015 , 2016a , b ). Therefore, since any potential development in these groups has been mostly restricted to inconclusive taxonomic interpretations the use of other possible sources of evidence, like cytological characters, could result useful to help taxonomic discrimination at intraspecific levels.…”

ANÁLISIS CITOLÓGICO DE UNA POBLACIÓN DE Bomarea salsilla (L.) MIRB. (ALSTROEMERIACEAE) DE LA REGIÓN DEL BIOBÍO, CHILE

“…Algo muy similar también ha sido reportado para Alstroemeria hookeri Lodd. y Alstroemeria presliana Herbert (Baeza et al, 2010;Baeza et al 2015). Esta condición de estabilidad del cariotipo está corroborando la importancia de los estudios citotaxonómicos y cariológicos como un complemento a la sistemática vegetal.…”