Cytogenetic Studies in Some Irano-Turanian Populations of <i>Crepis foetida</i> subsp. <i>rhoeadiflolia</i> (Asteraceae) from Turkey

Abstract

Irano-Turanian floristic region in Turkey appears to be the center of origin of Crepis foetida subsp. rhoeadiflolia (Asteraceae). In this study, karyotype and flow cytometric analyses of six Irano-Turanian populations of C. foetida subsp. rhoeadiflolia in Turkey were performed. The cytogenetic characteristics of the populations using multivariate analyses (cluster analysis, principal components analysis) were evaluated in a cytogeographic context. Two main groups are found in C. foetida subsp. rhoeadiflolia based on cytogenetic characteristics among populations based on distribution pattern. The significant differences among populations mainly concern the long length of chromosome, centromeric index, and genome size. The ecological and evolutionary value of cytogenetic data are discussed within the framework of the results obtained.