Chromosome studies in Schoenocaulon (Liliacea:Melanthiaeae), a relictgenus

Abstract

RESULTS OF CHROMOSOME COUNTS OF EIGHT TAXA REPRESENTING SEVEN SPECIES OF SCHOENOCAULON (LILIACEAE: MELANTHIEAE), A PRIMARILY MEXICAN GENUS ARE PRESENTED. ONE SPECIES (S. TENORIOI) SHOWS A CHAIN OF THREE CHROMOSOMES, THE POSSIBLE ORIGIN OF WHICH IS DISCUSSED. THE GENERAL KARYOMORPHOLOGY OF SCHOENOCAULON CHROMOSOMES IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED AND ALONG WITH CHROMOSOME NUMBER CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF CLOSELY RELATED LILIACEAE. FURTHER, HYPOTHESES OF BROAD EVOLUTIONARY TRENDS BASED ON SCHOENOCAULON CHROMOSOME EVOLUTION ARE DEVELOPED, WITH AN EYE TO FUTURE STRATEGIES FOR THIS PLANT'S PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION.