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The ten cytological races of the Scilla autumnalis species complex

1997; Springer Nature; Volume: 79; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/hdy.1997.170

1365-2540

Helen Vaughan, Sarah E. Taylor, John Parker,

Chromosomal and Genetic Variations

Scilla autumnalis, a bulbaceous perennial member of the Liliaceae, is widespread throughout much of Europe and North Africa. So far it has been classified as a single species, primarily on morphological grounds. This paper reports 10 cytologically distinct races of the plant present over the range of distribution, and hypothesizes the existence, at least at some stage of the evolution of the complex, of two additional races. At least five distinct genomes are described, involving chromosomal rearrangements, changes in DNA amount and three levels of ploidy. A picture of the evolutionary relationships of the cytotypes is suggested.