Karyotype and C-band Analysis in Two Species of Genipa L. (Rubiaceae, Gardenieae Tribe).

Chromosomal studies of species of Rubiaceae (A. L. de Jussieu) from the Brazilian cerrado

“…However, of the five arboreal species studied (Table 1), only Amaioua intermedia was polyploid. The value of 2n = 22 for Genipa americana agrees with previous reports for this species in other populations from the states of São Paulo (Pierozzi and Mendacolli 1997) and Pernambuco (Bortoleti et al 2002). This species has the longest chromosomes in the subfamily (2.42 − 6.77 µm).…”

“…This species has the longest chromosomes in the subfamily (2.42 − 6.77 µm). The chromosome sizes for G. americana reported by Pierozzi and Mendacolli (1997) were smaller than those found here. This discrepancy may reflect the degree of chromosomal contraction associated with the phase of cell division used to obtain the chromosome measures, e.g., metaphase for Pierozzi and Mendacolli (1997) and prometaphase in the present work (Fig.…”

“…Species of Coffea (Pierozzi et al 1999), and Genipa americana (Pierozzi and Mendacolli 1997) are the only species of Rubiaceae with well known ideograms. Pierozzi et al (1999) showed that the chromosomes of Coffea canephora and C. dewevrei varied from 0.85 to 2.38 µm and from 0.83 to 2.03 µm, respectively.…”

“…Variations in chromosome number are useful for stablishing the limits of a species and for distinguishing among species within a group that shows extensive morphological and physiological variation or has a wide geographic distribution (Pierozzi and Mendacolli 1997;Bortoleti et al 2002).…”

“…Thus, Zappi et al (1995) described a new species, Genipa infundibuliformis, based on individuals initially identified as Genipa americana. The species were differentiated based on morphological characteristics and their chromosome number, with 2n = 22 in G. americana and 2n = 20 in G. infundibuliformis (Pierozzi and Mendacolli 1997).…”