Chromosome numbers in the genusLychnophoraMart. (Lychnophorinae, Vernonieae, Asteraceae)

Abstract

The genus Lychnophora Mart. comprises about 68 endemic species in "campos rupestres" in the States of Minas Gerais, Bahia and Goias. Ecological conditions of this environment possibly favored an intense speciation, and could be one factor for this endemism. The highest diversity is found in Minas Gerais, a state also considered as the major center of dispersal of this genus. To contribute to the biosystematic study of the genus, we carried out a chromosomic study in 18 species of Lychnophora, belonging to 3 sections, collected at the mountain ranges of Cip6 and of the regions of Carrancas and Diamantina, all in the State of Minas Gerais. Three chromosome numbers, n=17, 18 and 19 were found in different species and a polyploid population with n=34 was detected in L. staavioides. These different chromosome numbers are distributed among species of the 3 sections and can not be used as distinctive characters at an infrageneric level. On the other hand, they are very important to differentiate some species whose limits sometimes are questioned.

Evaluation of the bactericidal and trypanocidal activities of triterpenes isolated from the leaves, stems, and flowers of Lychnophora pinaster

“…The genus Lychnophora (Asteraceae) is endemic in the central region of Brazil, mainly in rupestral fields in the states of Minas Gerais, Goiás, and Bahia (Robinson, 1999). This genus comprises 68 species (Mansanares et al, 2002) and some of them are listed as species threatened with extinction . Lychnophora species are popularly used to treat wounds, bruise, pain, rheumatism, and inflammation (Borsato et al, 2000).…”

Lychnophorinae (asteraceae): a survey of its chemical constituents and biological activities

“…Most of its genera is found on the Brazilian's rupestrian vegetation (Table 1), which is present on the top of mountain chains on the Central and Southeastern regions of Brazil, especially in Minas Gerais, Bahia and Goiás, all presenting many species 1 with a high degree of endemism. Due to the taxonomic complexity of the Lychnophorinae, the genera of this subtribe have received considerable attention and several previous classification had to be changed.…”

Chromosome studies of some species ofVernonanthuraandVernonia(Asteraceae, Vernonieae)

“…According to Jones (1979), polyploids are very frequent in the New World and the most common basic chromosome number is x 2 = 17, while the Old World species present usually basic number x 1 = 9 and x 1 = 10 and polyploids are not frequently observed. Nevertheless, the more recent chromosome studies in New World species of the tribe have found other basic chromosome numbers such as x 1 = 9, x 1 = 10, x 1 = 12, x 1 = 14, x 2 = 15, x 2 = 16, x 2 = 17, x 2 = 18, x 2 = 19 and x 2 = 31 (Turner 1981;Ruas et al 1991;Dematteis 1998;Mansanares et al 2002;Dematteis 2009, 2012;Salles de Melo et al 2010). The ancestral basic chromosome number in the Vernonieae is considered to be x 1 = 9 or x 1 = 10, as reported for African and Asian species of the tribe (Jones 1979).…”