Chromosome Evolution in the Family Solanaceae

Abstract

This review summarizes and discusses the knowledge of cytogenetics in Solanaceae, the tomato family, its current applications, and prospects for making progress in fundamental systematic botany and plant evolution. We compile information on basic chromosome features (number, size, morphology) and molecular cytogenetics (chromosome banding and rDNA patterns). These data were mapped onto the Solanaceae family tree to better visualize the changes in chromosome features and evaluate them in a phylogenetic context. We conclude that chromosomal features are important in understanding the evolution of the family, especially in delimiting clades, and therefore it is necessary to continue producing this type of data. The potential for future applications in plant biology is outlined. Finally, we provide insights into understanding the mechanisms underlying Solanaceae’s diversification that could substantially contribute to developing new approaches for future research.

Comparative Cytogenetics and Fluorescent Chromosome Banding in Five Indian Species of Dipcadi Medik

“…Although traditional karyotype analysis can be considered obsolete in the genomic era, it is in fact quite contrary as basic karyotype information, chromosome number, genome size, and position of landmarks including repetitive DNA, will remain important for necessary data interpretation [42][43][44][45][46][47][48]. Chromosome features used in cytotaxonomy may present a continuous variation (average chromosome length, mean arm ratio or r index, symmetry indices) or a discontinuous variation (chromosome number, heterochromatic bands, number of rDNA sites) [46,49]. Measurements of chromosome arms for the identification of chromosomes in a karyotype are useful to quantify differences or similarities among karyotypes.…”

Chromosomes of Two Olyra L. Species From Misiones, Argentina (Poaceae, Bambusoideae, Olyreae)

“…Currently, four species of Olyra habit in Argentina, O. ciliatifolia Raddi, O. fasciculata Trin., O. humilis Nees and O. latifolia L. and the only two chromosome counts known for Argentinian specimens are from O. latifolia. Chromosomal and ploidy data are useful for clarifying phylogenetic relationships and tracing evolutionary trajectories (Honfi et al, 2021;Deanna et al, 2022). For this reason, this work aims to contribute with meiotic studies of O. latifolia and O. humilis, two significant herbaceous species of the tropical forest in Misiones.…”