Chromosome Morphology in the Genus Sambucus

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org. A B S T R A C TTwo basic chromosome karyotypes were found in the genus Sambucus. Chromosome numbers were observed to be 2n = 38 for S. callicarpa, S. cerulea, S. glauca, S. kamtschatica, S. melanocarpa, S. mexicana, S. miquelli, S. sibirica, and S. sieboldiana and 2n = 36 for S. simpsonii and S. williamsii. Measurements of 18 karyotypes are presented. The major differences between the two basic chromosome karyotypes can be explained as the result of a mis-division of a metacentric chromosome giving rise to two telocentric chromosomes, thus reducing the number of metacentrics from five to four and increasing the chromosome number from 2n = 36 to 2n = 38.Observed chromosome aberrations and aneuploidy may result from unstable telocentric chromosomes. THE WIDE DISTRIBUTION of Sambucus species throughout the temperate and subtropical regions of the world and their possible economic value emphasize the need for taxonomic clarification. None of the standard botanical references has a complete listing of all known Sambucus species. The most complete work was published by von Schwerin (1909). He divided the genus into seven sections. Three sections include all the major species with wide distributions and four other sections contain one or two species with unusual characteristics and limited distribution.Elderberry breeding in eastern North America has been confined mainly within the species S. canadensis, with a few interspecific crosses involving S. nigra, while only clonal selections have been made in S. glauca in the western United States. The extensive variation in Sambucus should enable rapid advances to be made in breeding and clonal selection.Ourecky (1966) and Hounsell (1968) initiated cytological analyses of Sam bucus species and clones. The present paper is an attempt to survey as many species as possible in order to define karyotype relationships and cytotaxonomic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS-Hardwoodcuttings were taken in March and April and rooted in sand under mist. After good root formation, the cuttings were removed from the sand and washed thoroughly. Collections made between 1 and 2 PM contained the most divisions in both 1

Sambucus nigraL.

“…1992). Other counts from non‐British material agree (Tischler 1950; Hounsell 1968; Ourecky 1970; Benko‐Iseppon & Morawetz 1993). The chromosomes vary in length from 3.5 to 6.5 µm; there are 4 metacentric, 5 submetacentric and 6 acrocentric, 1 telocentric and 2 satellited pairs of which one is submetacentric and the other acrocentric (Benko‐Iseppon & Morawetz 1993).…”

A Brief Review of Recent Controversies in the Taxonomy and Nomenclature of Sambucus Nigra Sensu Lato

“…Numerous references agree that the European elder, S. nigra sensu stricto, has a sporophytic chromosome count of 2 n = 36 (e.g., Ourecky, 1970; Murin, 1976; D’Ovidio, 1984; Benko-Iseppon, 1992; Hollingsworth et al, 1992; Lövqvist and Hultgård, 1999). The same also appears to be true of S. nigra subsp.…”

“…canadensis , based on the most reliable reports (Ourecky, 1970; Harriman, 1981; Benko-Iseppon, 1992), and the taxa formerly known as S. palmensis and S. maderensis (Benko-Iseppon, 1992). However, chromosome counts have been reported of 2 n = 38 for S. cerulea (Ourecky, 1970; Benko-Iseppon, 1992) and 2 n = ca. 72 for S. peruviana , which is therefore a tetraploid (Benko-Iseppon, 1992).…”

“…canadensis hybridize readily, with probable hybrids being described in the literature as early as 1868 (Carrière, 1868). However, meiotic abnormalities have been reported in diploid hybrids (Ourecky, 1970) and though crosses may set seed, few of the seeds germinate (Chia, 1975). A cross of S. nigra × S. cerulea has been reported to be semi-fertile, producing eight seedlings from 58 seeds (Chia, 1975).…”

Emerging Fruit Crops

“…Two basic chromosome karyotypes are recognized in Sambucus , 2 n = 38 ( Sambucus cerulea (Ourecky 1970 ) . Interestingly, S. racemosa is reported to have three karyotypes, 2 n = 36, 38, and 42 (Chia 1975 ) .…”