Genome size and the nucleolar number as estimators of ploidy level in Dactylis glomerata in the Slovenian Alps

We studied five natural populations of Dactylis glomerata L. (Poaceae) growing at different altitudes in the south-eastern fringe of the Alps in northern Slovenia to determine the subspecies. The stomatal length, the pollen diameter and chromosome counts were consistent with the tetraploid taxon D....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant systematics and evolution 2002-01, Vol.234 (1/4), p.1-13
Main Authors: Vilhar, B., Vidic, T., Jogan, N., Dermastia, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altitude
Cell nucleolus
Chromosomes
Diploidy
DNA
Genetic variation
Genome size
Ploidies
Pollen
Tetraploidy
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Summary:We studied five natural populations of Dactylis glomerata L. (Poaceae) growing at different altitudes in the south-eastern fringe of the Alps in northern Slovenia to determine the subspecies. The stomatal length, the pollen diameter and chromosome counts were consistent with the tetraploid taxon D. glomerata subsp. glomerata (2n = 4x = 28). Genome size was measured in 55 individuals. The mean 2C value was 8.6 pg DNA. The mean 2C values of populations growing at different altitudes showed only 2.1% variation, and no correlation was observed between altitude and genome size. In D. glomerata subsp. glomerata eight nucleoli were observed in late telophase, indicating that the nucleolus-organising regions inherited from both diploid parent species are functional. We demonstrate that both genome size and the number of nucleoli may be used to determine the ploidy level as an alternative to chromosome counting.
ISSN:0378-2697
1615-6110
DOI:10.1007/s00606-002-0186-0