Karyological studies of Iranian Allium (Amaryllidaceae) species with a focus on sect. Acanthoprason. 2. Meiotic chromosomes

Abstract

Meiosis in pollen mother cells (PMCs) was studied of 23 Iranian Allium species (33 accessions, 105 individuals) that belong to two subgenera and six sections. Materials of 13 species were sampled from (near) type locations. Gametic chromosome numbers, chromosome configurations at metaphase I, chiasma frequency, as well as type and percentages of abnormalities were recognized. The basic chromosome number for all taxa investigated was x = 8. Most taxa were diploid and showed eight bivalents or in rare cases two or four pairs of univalents, but in A. subakaka, A. ubipetrense and A. zagricum tetravalents also occurred. Meiosis in less than 10% of PMCs of diploid accessions was disturbed displaying lagging chromosomes, chromatid bridges, micronuclei, or unbalanced chromosome segregations, but very rarely more than one kind of irregularities were found within one dividing cell. One to three B chromosomes were found in 11 accessions, and were recognized for the first time in A. alamutense, A. elburzense and A. iranshahrii. Our data showed no correlation between the occurrence of B chromosomes and the chiasma frequency, and also no noticeable effect of habitat factors on meiotic chromosome behavior. The studied accessions of A. atroviolaceum and A. sabalense were tetraploid (n = 16) showing irregular meiosis in 20–69% of the PMCs which is regarded as sign of autopolyploidy. Since only two out of 31 investigated accessions belonging to subg. Melanocrommyum were tetraploid, we may suggest a trivial role of polyploidy in the evolution of this subgenus.

Keywords:

• Allium
• chiasma frequency
• chromosome behavior
• diakinesis
• Iran
• male meiosis
• pollen mother cells (PMCs)

Acknowledgments

The P-1392-24 project of Iranian biological resource center is acknowledged for providing financial supports and laboratory facilities. Also, the authors would like to thank Mr. Hossein Ramazani for great help in collecting and planting plants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Lab costs and travel expenses were supported by Iranian biological resource center.