Chromosomal polymorphism of Deschampsia antarctica Desv. plants from Argentine Islands region (Maritime Antarctic)
Abstract
Aim. To study chromosomal polymorphism in D. antarctica from the Argentine Islands region of Maritime Antarctic. Methods. The method of cytogenetic analysis was used involving chromosome counting and chromosome size determination. Results. Root apical meristems were analyzed in D. antarctica plants in vitro that were grown from seeds collected from four island and a mainland localities within the range of Ukrainian Antarctic station Vernadsky. The most plants were shown to have chromosome number 2n = 26. For the first time, D. antarctica plants were found (Darboux Island), which karyotype had one or two supernumerary B chromosomes apart from 26 chromosomes of the main complement. On Great Yalour Island mixoploid plants were found with chromosome number ranging from 13 to 39 chromosomes. Conclusion. Chromosomal polymorphism was revealed in D. antarctica from Maritime Antarctic. There were found plants with 1-2 supernumerary B-chromosomes as well as mixoploid ones where cells with haploid and/or triploid number were observed besides diploid cells. Most of the studied plants had chromosomal number 2n = 26.
Key words: Deschampsia antarctica Desv., chromosome number, В-chromosomes, mixoploidy.