Karyomorphological features of Turkish Centaurea (subgenus Cyanus, Asteraceae) species and its taxonomic importance

Abstract

In this study, the karyomorphology of 20 Turkish Centaurea (subgenus Cyanus) taxa was examined. The number ofchromosomes of 11 taxa belonging to the subgenus Cyanus was determined for the first time. As a result of the karyomorphologicalstudies, the number of basic chromosomes was determined to be x = 8, 10, and 12 in annuals and x = 10 and 11 in perennials. Thepopulations are tetraploid in the seven perennial taxa and polyploidy is not rare for this group. On the other hand, all annual taxaare diploid. Considering the asymmetry indices, we can conclude that most taxa have symmetrical karyotypes. The most commonkaryotype formulas are 40 metacentric chromosomes (m), 20m, and 16m + 4 submetacentric chromosomes, respectively. A satellitewas detected in the majority of the taxa, but it was observed to be mainly localized on the short arm of the chromosome. Satellites arelocated mainly on the second chromosome.