Cytogenetics of Chilean angiosperms: Advances and prospects

Abstract

Cytogenetic data on Chilean angiosperms have been reported since at least eight decades ago; however, much of this information is disperse in diverse sources and is not readily available as a comprehensive document that allows having a general vision on advances and gaps in this matter. The goal of this paper is to summarize the advances and prospets on cytogenetic studies of the Chilean angiosperms based on compiled publications from 1929 to 2010. We found 78 publications supplied by four groups of Chilean researchers and some foreign specialists. Cytogenetic data have been reported for 139 Chilean angiosperm species (2.8 % of the total), which belong to 58 genera and 34 families. During 2001-2010 there was an increase in the number of publications, being available 40 reports including 95 additional species. Based on these data, we hope that such a trend can be maintained in the next decade if the current research groups and young specialists continue to be interested in the study of native plants.Key words: chromosome banding, chromosome number, genome size, karyotype morphology. RESUMENLos datos citogenéticos sobre angiospermas chilenas han sido reportados desde al menos ocho décadas atrás; sin embargo, mucha de esta información está dispersa en diversas fuentes y no está disponible como un documento completo que permita tener una visión general sobre los avances y vacíos en esta materia. El objetivo de este trabajo es resumir los avances y proyecciones sobre los estudios citogenéticos disponibles para angiospermas chilenas, basado en publicaciones recopiladas desde 1929 hasta el 2010. Nosotros encontramos 78 publicaciones aportadas por cuatro grupos de investigadores chilenos y por algunos especialistas extranjeros. Datos citogenéticos han sido reportados para 139 especies de angiospermas chilenas (2.8 % del total), las cuales pertenecen a 58 géneros y 34 familias. Durante los años 2001-2010, existió un incremento en el número de publicaciones estando disponibles 40 reportes que incluyen 95 especies adicionales. Basados en estos datos, esperamos que esta tendencia pueda ser mantenida en la siguiente década si los actuales grupos de investigación y especialistas jóvenes siguen interesados en estudiar plantas nativas.Palabras clave: bandeo cromosómico, morfología del cariotipo, número cromosómico, tamaño genómico.

Does actually mean chromosome number increase with latitude in vascular plants? An answer from the comparison of Italian, Slovak and Polish floras

“…Unfortunately, as far as we are aware, CN databases covering those territories are not available, or not significant in coverage of flora. Indeed, very recently an online cytogenetic database of Chilean plants was made available ( Jara-Seguel and Urrutia 2011 onwards ), but only 2.8% of Chilean angiosperm flora was karyologically studied ( Jara-Seguel and Urrutia 2012 ). Similar degree of coverage exists for plants from Paraguay ( Molero et al 2001 ).…”

Genetic diversity among native varieties and commercial cultivars of Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum L. present in Chile

“…tuberosum, among other species useful to man for their edible, medicinal or ornamental properties (Spooner et al 2005b). However, studies on genome diversity are scarce for these species, and such studies should therefore be a priority task in the near future (Jara-Seguel and Urrutia, 2012). It is broadly accepted that genetic information may be useful in the study of genetic population structure, conservation, protection, and genetic improvement, especially in those plants that are important as food resources.…”

Chromosomic Studies in Zephyranthes Citrina Baker (Amaryllidaceae), a Polyploid Ornamental

“…Today, cytogenetics is recognized as a powerful tool to understand genetic variation processes, genome structure and dynamics, as well as evolution and speciation (Leitch and Leitch, 2012). Cytogenetics has also supported taxonomic circumscriptions in various plant groups (Widham and Yatskievych, 2003;Jara Seguel et al, 2010;Jara Seguel and Urrutia, 2012;Guerra, 2012) and in several cases has related extant species with extinct species found in fossil records (Bonde et al, 2004).…”