Variation and Evolution in the Karyotype of Lycoris (Amaryllidaceae) V. Chromosomal Variation in L. sanguinea Maxim.

In 554 bulbs from 38 populations of Lycoris sanguinea , several chromosomal variations have been discovered. Most of the bulbs have a common karyotype consisting of 22 acrocentric ( A ) chromosomes. Though their frequencies are low, some rearranged chromosomes which are aberrant have been found. The aberrants are as follows: 1. Subtelocentrics ( ST ); 2. Telocentrics ( T′ ); 3. Metacentrics ( M′ ); 4. Very small acrocentrics (a); 5. Very small metacentrics (m); 6. Acentric fragments ( Ac ); and 7. Dicentrics ( Di ) chromosome. All can be easily suspected to be derived from A s. Some aberrations of the satellite chromosomes have been observed also. In addition, a new karyotype composed of 2n=32=31 A + 1 M′ chromosomes has been found.