Contribution to the study of wild Orchidaceae, genus Platanthera L.C.M. Richard. Karyotype and C-banding analysis of two species from Italy.

Abstract

This study examined chromosome numbers and karyotypes of two taxa of the genus Platanthera (Orchidaceae) from Italy. Cytological analyses showed 2n = 2x = 42 in P. chlorantha and P. algeriensis. The karyotype analysis revealed the similarity in both the species. The karyotypes are as follows: P. chlorantha consists of 34metacentric+8submetacentric pairs, P. algeriensis consists of 36metacentric+6submetacentric pairs. Both the species possesses a rather symmetrical karyotype. The C-banding pattern shows that P. chlorantha is very similar to P. algeriensis. DAPI bright blocks were observed in P. chlorantha. These analyses show also the closer relationships between the studied species.

Keywords

• Chromosome number, C-Banding, heterochromatin content, karyotypes, Orchidaceae, Platanthera algeriensis, P. chlorantha