Genome flexibility in a local clone of Chara corallina grown in laboratory cultures

SUMMARY

This communication deals with chromosomal variability in a local clone of Chara corallina Klein ex Wildenow grown under laboratory conditions. Chromosome counts of n = 14, 21, 28, 36 and 42 were made from a single individual plant, the variability existing in different antheridial filaments and even in the adjacent cells of a single antheridial filament. On the basis of frequency, n = 6 chromosomes was assumed to represent the actual chromosome number for the taxon, from which the other numbers had been derived probably by chromosomal non-disjunction. Such a high degree of vulnerability of the sporogenous cells resulting into an astounding variability in the genomic constitution of spermatogenous cells is assumed to possess great genetic potential in the speciation and evolution of the Chara corallina complex.