Karyotype analyses of ten sections of Trigonella (Fabaceae).

Karyotypes of ten sections of genus Trigonella Linnaeus, 1753 (Fabaceae) from Turkey were investigated. Somatic chromosome numbers of examined species were determined as 2n=14 and 16. The karyotype analyses of the species were carried out and somatic chromosome numbers of Trigonella plicata Boiss., 1872, Trigonella brachycarpa (Fisch.) Moris, 1833, Trigonella rostrata Boiss., 1872, Trigonella lunata Boiss., 1843, Trigonella isthmocarpa Boiss. et Balansa 1856, Trigonella rhytidocarpa Boiss. et Balansa, 1859, Trigonella spicata Sibth. et Sm., 1813, Trigonella cephalotes Boiss. et Balansa 1856, Trigonella capitata Boiss., 1843 and Trigonella gladiata Steven, 1808 were reported for the first time. Two pairs of satellite metaphase chromosomes were observed in Trigonella cariensis Boiss., 1843 and one pair in Trigonella lunata.Moreover, 2 B-chromosomes were found only in Trigonella procumbens Rchb., 1830 among all studied species. The aims of this study are to provide karyological data for a significant pool of the taxa, to show differences among them in the number, size and morphology of somatic chromosomes, to verify previous reports or represent numbers which are different from those cited previously.

Introduction

L., 1753 (Fabaceae) includes about 135 species worldwide, and most of the species are distributed in dry regions around Mediterranean, West Asia, Europe, North and South Africa, North America, and with only two species being present in PageBreakSouth Australia (Mabberly 1997). The genus has 13 sections and 50 species in Turkey (Huber-Morath 1970). species are localized in different phytogeographical regions in Turkey with 21 endemic species showing 42% endemism rate (Huber-Morath 1970, Martin et al. 2008).

According to the literature,some studies conducted on the karyology of the include approximately hundred species (Darlington and Wylie 1955, Tutin and Heywood 1964, Ghosh 1980, Astanova 1981, Agarwal and Gupta 1983, Ladizinsky and Vosa 1986, Danin and Small 1989, Bal 1990, Kumari and Bir 1990, Bidak and Amin 1996, Pavlova 1996, Yılmaz and 2006, Martin et al. 2008). The somatic chromosome numbers of the genus are reported as 2n=14, 16 and 18. In addition, some chemical, morphological and taxonomical studies were conducted on species (Meusel and Jager 1962, Sırjaev 1935, Baum 1968, Small et al. 1981, Small et al. 1981, Classen et al. 1982, Small 1988, Danin and Small 1989, Small and Jomphe 1989, Al-Habori et al. 1998, Sheoran et al. 1999, Ram and Verma 2000, Murakami et al. 2000, Oncina et al. 2000, Sur et al. 2001, Sabir et al. 2002, Petropoulos et al. 2002).

In the present work we carried out a karyological study on 19 species of , belonging to ten sections, collected from different regions of Turkey (Huber-Murath 1970).

Material and methods

Seedlings were collected between the years of 2002 and 2005 from natural habitats in different localities (Table 1). For karyotype analyses, root tips were obtained from seeds germinated in humidified Petri dishes at room temperature. Root tips were pretreated with α-monobromonaphthalene at 4 °C for 16 h and fixed in Carnoy’s fixative for 24 h at 4 °C. Before staining, the material was hydrolyzed with 1N HCl for 13–15 minutes at room temperature. The chromosomes were stained with 2% aceto orcein and mounted in 45% acetic acid. Permanent slides were made by using the standard liquid nitrogen method and then examined under Olympus BX50 Photomicroscope using an oil immersion objective (100 X). Photographs were taken with the same microscope. Karyotype analyses were made by the use of an Image Analysis System (Bs200Pro).

Table 1.

Localities, collector name and numbers of studied species.

Taxa	Locality	Collector name and number
Trigonella cretica	Burdur: Gölhisar-Dirmil 4. km, 30.05.2002, 900–950 m, conserved area	H.Akan 3480, M. Ekici
Trigonella plicata	Konya: Hadim-Konya 10. km, 17.07.2002, 1350 m, roadside	H.Akan 3789, Z.Aytaç, M.Ekici
Trigonella brachycarpa	Konya: Hadim-Konya 10. km, 17.07.2002, 1400 m, roadside	H.Akan 3786, Z.Aytaç, M.Ekici
Trigonella rostrata	Konya: East of Hadim-Karaman, 17.07.2002, 1250 m, roadside	H.Akan 3805, Z.Aytaç, M.Ekici
Trigonella lunata	Adana: Pozantı-Çiftehan 8.km, 08.06.2003, 852 m, stony places	H.Akan 4687, M.Ekici
Trigonella corniculata	Izmir: Bayraklı, 26.05.2002, 20–50m, meadowsMuğla: Bodrum castle, 25.05.2002, 10 m, meadows	H.Akan 4616, M.EkiciH.Akan 3391, M.Ekici
Trigonella spinosa	Muğla: Marmaris-Datça 50. km, 06.05.2005, 5–10 m, maqius	H.Akan 5655, M.Ekici
Trigonella monspeliaca	Muğla: Dalaman, Ortaca district, 24.5.2002, 20 m, stony placesAntalya: Exit of Antalya-Hafızpaşa, 23.05.2002, 750 m, maqius	H.Akan 3358, M.EkiciH.Akan 3327, M.Ekici
Trigonella isthmocarpa	Aksaray: 28 km E of Aksaray, Hasan mountain foots, 08.06.2003, 1145 m	H.Akan 4695, M.Ekici
Trigonella rhytidocarpa	Niğde: Ulukışla-Pozantı 5. km, 16.07.2002, 1300 m, roadside	H.Akan 3778, M.Ekici
Trigonella spicata	Antalya-Bucak 20.km, Pınarbaşı district, 23.05.2002, 220–250 m, opening of Quercus coccifera	H.Akan 3319, M.Ekici, Karavelioğulları
Trigonella cephalotes	Aydın: Dilek Peninsula, National park, Aydınlık cove, 26.02.2002, 70 m	H.Akan 3398, M.Ekici
Trigonella procumbens	Konya: Akşehir-Gelendost 1–2.km, 22.06.2003, 1110 m, roadside of vineyards	H.Akan 4760, M.Ekici
Trigonella capitata	Denizli: Pamukkale, 22.06.2003, 1550 m, opening of damaged forest	H.Akan 4767, M.Ekici
Trigonella coerulescens	Konya: Ereğli-Karapınar 20–25km, 01.06.2002 1000 m, steppeKayseri: Kayseri, Hisarcık, Erciyes mountain road, 08.07.2002, 1550 m	H.Akan 3587 Z.Aytaç, M.EkiciH.Akan 3659, M.Ekici
Trigonella gladiata	Karaman: Pınarbası-Kızılkaya 2 km, 28.06.2005, 1200 m, opening of Oak	H.Akan 5743, M.Ekici
Trigonella cariensis	Izmir: Ayrancılar-Izmir 6.km, 25.05.2003, 100 m, foots of maqiusAntalya: Antalya-Hafızpaşa-Bucak 5.km, 23.05.2002, 775 m	H.Akan 4620, M.EkiciH.Akan 3332, M.Ekici
Trigonella foenum-graecum	Adana: Ceyhan-Adana 13.km., 20.05.02, 120 m, fields	H.Akan 3274
Trigonella macrorrhyncha	Içel: Tarsus-Çamlıyayla road, 30.km, 18.05.2003, 850 m, steppe	H.Akan 4354, M.Ekici

Results

This study was carried out to analyse the karyotypes of 19 species, eight of which are endemic to Turkey, belonging to ten sections of the genus in Turkey. These sections are: Boiss., Boiss., Boiss., Boiss., (Širj.) Vass., Boiss., Boiss., Boiss., (Širj.), and Ser. Cytological results obtained from our study are arranged based on the order in the Flora of Turkey (Huber-Morath 1969).PageBreakPageBreak

Idiograms of species ( no: 4616 and 3391; no: 3358 and no: 3327; ( no: 3587and3659; no: 3332 and4620).

Idiograms of species ( no: 4616 and 3391; no: 3358 and no: 3327; ( no: 3587and3659; no: 3332 and4620).

Section: Samaroideae

(L.) Boiss., 1872, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, A). All chromosome pairs at the somatic metaphase phase were observed metacentric. The chromosome length ranges between 0.52 and 1.01 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 5.88 μm.

Figure 1. A–L

Mitotic metaphase chromosomes of species A B C D E The satellite (arrow) of chromosomes F ; no: 4616 G  no: 3391 H I no: 3358 J no: 3327 K L .Scale bar = 10 µm.

Section: Pectinatae

(Boiss. et Bal.) Boiss., 1872, 2n=14 (Fig. 1, B). The species has metacentric chromosome pairs at somatic metaphase. The chromosome length ranges from 0.84 to 1.34 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 7.12 μm. This species is endemic of Turkey.

Section: Lunatae

(Fisch.) Moris, 1833, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, C). (Boiss. & Bal.) Boiss., 1872, 2n=14 (Fig. 1, D). Boiss., 1843, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, E). All of the species of this section examined have metacentric chromosome pairs at somatic metaphase plates. For , chromosome length ranges from 0.94 to 1.36 μm having total chromosome length of 8.85 μm. being endemic to Turkey was observed having chromosomes whose lengths range between0.81 and 1.22 μm. In this species, the total haploid chromosome length was measured as 7.07 μm. For the species , the chromosome length was measured between 2.85 and 3.92 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 26.44 μm. In addition, this species has a pair of satellite metaphase chromosomes.

Section: Falcatulae

L., 1759 from the specimen collected from İzmir province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, F) and from the specimen collected from Muğla province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, G). At somatic metaphase, seven pairs of metacentric and one pair of submetacentric chromosomes were observed in the former while four pairs of metacentric and four pairs of submetacenric chromosomes were detected in the latter. The specimen collected from İzmir province has chromosomes ranging between 0.61 and 0.88 μm, and the total haploid chromosome length for this specimen was measured as 5.71 μm. In the other specimen which was collected from Muğla province, the chromosome length ranges between 1.54 and 2.57 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 17.58 μm. L., 1753, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, H). At somatic metaphase, two pairs of metacentric and six pairs of submetacentric chromosomes were observed. PageBreakFor this species, the chromosome lengths range from 1.49 to 2.76 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 16.76 μm.

Section: Reflexae

L. 1753 from the specimen collected from Muğla province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, I) while the specimen collected from Antalya province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, J). In the former, all chromosome pairs at the somatic metaphase were observed to be metacentric, and the chromosome length ranges between 0.66 and 1.18 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 6.81 μm. In the latter specimen, five pairs of metacentric and three pairs of metacentric chromosomes were observed at somatic metaphase. The chromosome length ranges between 0.74 and 1.00 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 7.06 μm.

Section: Isthmocarpae

Boiss. et Bal., 1856, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, K) and Boiss. & Bal. 2n=16 (Fig. 1, L). Endemic to Turkey, both species have metacentric chromosome pairs at the somatic metaphase. For the species of ,the chromosome length ranges between 0.57 and 1.10 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 6.53 μm. For , the chromosome length ranges between 0.85 and 1.40 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 8.47 μm.

Section: Uncinatae

Sibth. et Sm., 1813, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, M) and Boiss. et Bal., 1856, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, N). At somatic metaphase, five pairs of metacentric and three pairs of submetacentric chromosomes were observed for both species. The chromosome length of ranges between 1.00 and 1.50 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 10.36 μm. For , the chromosome length ranges between 0.43 and 0.94 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 4.49 μm. This species is endemic to Turkey.

Section: Capitatae

(Besser) Reichp., 1830, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, O) and Boiss., 1843, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, P). Both species have metacentric chromosome pairs at the somatic metaphase. Endemic to Turkey, have chromosomes ranging from 0.82 to 1.32 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 7.75 μm.PageBreakPageBreakPageBreak Moreover, two B chromosomes are observed in this species. The other species of the section examined, , have chromosomes ranging from 0.96 to 1.30 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 9.33 μm. This species is also endemic to Turkey.

Section: Biebersteinianae

(Bieb.) Hal., 1901, in the specimen collected from Konya province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, R) and in the specimen collected from Kayseri province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, S). All chromosome pairs at the somatic metaphase phase were observed to be metacentric for both specimens. The chromosome length ranges between 1.38 and 1.91 μm for the former while that of the latter ranges between 0.91 and 1.32 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 12.91 μm in the specimen collected from Konya while that of the other specimen was measured as 9.06 μm.

Section: Foenum-graecum

Stev. Fischer, 1808, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, T). All chromosome pairs at the somatic metaphase phase were observed to be metacentric. The chromosome length ranges between 2.03 and 4.72 μm. The total haploid chromosome length was measured as 27.70 μm. Boiss. In the specimen collected from İzmir province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, U), and in the specimen collected from Antalya province; 2n=16 (Fig. 1, V). Both specimens have four pairs of metacentric and four pairs of submetacentric chromosomes at somatic metaphase. Of the two specimens, the former has chromosomes whose lengths vary from 2.66 to 3.94 μm with the total haploid chromosome length of 25.28 μm. For the latter, the chromosome length ranges between 3.93 and 6.28 μm, and the total haploid chromosome length was measured as 39.78 μm. In addition, one pair of satellite metaphase chromosomes has been detected in the specimen from Antalya province. L., 1753, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, W), and Boiss., 1843, 2n=16 (Fig. 1, X). At somatic metaphase, two pairs of metacentric and six pairs of submetacentric chromosomes were observed for both species. For , the chromosome length ranges between 3.03 and 4.84 μm, and the total haploid chromosome length was measured as 30.23 μm. Endemic to Turkey, has chromosomes varying from 2.23 to 4.40 μm. In this species, the total haploid chromosome length is 25.67 μm. Idiograms of each species were arranged in order of decreasing length (Fig. 2). The total haploid chromosome lengths were given in Table 2, and the information of the 19 species studied were presented in Table 3.

Figure 1. M–X

Mitotic metaphase chromosomes of species M N O B chromosomes (arrow) P R no: 3587 S no: 3659 T U The satellite (arrow) of chromosomes no: 3332 V no: 4620; W X .Scale bar = 10 µm.

Table 2.

Chromosome comparison in the examined species of (AR: arm ratio; CI: centromeric index; THC: total length of haploid complement; M: metacentric; SM: submetacentric; *one pair of satellites is shown in the chromosome pairs are marked with an asterisk).

Sections and species	Chromosomenumbers (2n=2x)	Chromosomesizes (µm)	AR	CI	THL(µm)	M	SM
Section Samaroideae Trigonella cretica	16	0.52–1.01	1.33	5.40	5.88	8	-
Section Pectinatae Trigonella plicata	14	0.84–1.34	1.37	6.06	7.12	7	-
Section Lunatae Trigonella brachycarpa Trigonella rostrata Trigonella lunata*	161416	0.94–1.360.81–1.222.85–3.92	1.261.171.46	5.586.565.12	8.857.0726.44	878	---
Section Falcatulae Trigonella corniculata Trigonella corniculata Trigonella spinosa	161616	0.61–0.881.54–2.571.49–2.76	1.461.781.99	5.154.594.25	5.7117.5816.76	742	146
Section Reflexae Trigonella monspeliaca Trigonella monspeliaca	1616	0.66–1.180.74–1.00	1.401.50	5.265.11	6.817.06	85	-3
Section Isthmocarpae Trigonella isthmocarpa Trigonella rhytidocarpa	1616	0.57–1.100.85–1.40	1.311.34	5.475.37	6.538.47	88	--
Section Uncinatae Trigonella spicata Trigonella cephalotes	1616	1.00–1.500.43–0.94	1.521.59	5.074.96	10.364.49	55	33
Section Capitatae Trigonella procumbens Trigonella capitata	16+2B16	0.82–1.320.96–1.30	1.311.19	5.435.68	7.759.33	88	--
Section Biebersteinianae Trigonella coerulescens Trigonella coerulescens	1616	1.38–1.910.91–1.32	1.321.25	5.455.62	12.919.06	88	--
Section Foenum-graecum Trigonella gladiata Trigonella cariensis* Trigonella cariensis Trigonella foenum-graecum Trigonella macrorrhyncha	1616161616	2.03–4.722.66–3.943.93–6.283.03–4.842.23–4.40	1.291.831.782.171.85	5.504.594.534.184.37	27.7025.2839.7830.2325.67	84423	-4465

Table 3.

The information of the 19 species studied.

Section	Species	Chromosome number(2n)	Chromosome numbers reported (2n)	References
Samaroideae	Trigonella cretica	16	16	Yılmaz, 2006
Pectinatae	Trigonella plicata	14	-	-
Lunatae	Trigonella brachycarpa	16	-	-
“	Trigonella rostrata	14	-	-
“	Trigonella lunata	16	-	-
Falcatulae	Trigonella corniculata	16	16	Tutin, Heywood, 1964
“	Trigonella spinosa	16	16	Bidak, Amin, 1996
Reflexae	Trigonella monspeliaca	16	16	Darlington, Wylie, 1955
Isthmocarpae	Trigonella isthmocarpa	16	-	-
“	Trigonella rhytidocarpa	16	-	-
Uncinatae	Trigonella spicata	16	-	-
“	Trigonella cephalotes	16	-	-
Capitatae	Trigonella procumbens	16 + 2B	18	Yılmaz, 2006
“	Trigonella capitata	16	-	-
Biebersteinianae	Trigonella coerulescens	16	16	Yılmaz, 2006
Foenum-graecum	Trigonella gladiata	16	16	Bidak, Amin 1996Darlington, Wylie, 1955Ladizinsky, Vosa, 1986
“	Trigonella cariensis	16	16	Ladizinsky, Vosa, 1986
“	Trigonella foenum-graecum	16	16	Ladizinsky, Vosa 1986; Bal, 1990;Tutin, Heywood, 1964
“	Trigonella macrorrhyncha	16	16	Ladizinsky, Vosa, 1986

Discussion

1. Basic chromosome number variations

In this karyological study, two different basic chromosome numbers of x=7 and x=8 were observed in the species belonging to ten sections of . Bidak and Amin (1996) reported two different basic chromosome numbers of x=8 and x=9 for species studied. Among studied species, only two species, and , from the sections of and , respectively,have the basic chromosome number of x=7.

2. Chromosome number and morphology variations

Two different somatic chromosome numbers (2n=14 and 2n=16) were observed in studied sections. The smallest chromosome length is 0.43 μm measured in (section ) while the biggest of that is 6.28 μm measured in (section ). The smallest total haploid chromosome length was measured as4.49 μm from the species of (section ). (section ) has the biggest total haploid chromosome length of 39.78 μm. (section ) has the smallest arm ratio (1.17), and (section ) has the biggest (2.17). The smallest centromeric index (4.18) was measured in (section ) while the biggest of that (6.56) was observed in (section ). In this study, there is a marked difference in somatic chromosome lengths compared to other species of the section . Chromosome numbers are rather close to each other excluding several species (, and ) in other sections. Besides, 2B chromosome was observed in in the section .

Karyotype formulae of the sections of , , , , and are completely composed of metacentric chromosome pairs. Karyotype formulae of species in other sections are composed of metacentric and submetacentric chromosome pairs. While there is one pair of satellite metaphase chromosomes in (section ), (section ) has two pairs of satellite metaphase chromosomes. Section is represented by a single species () in Turkey. The karyotype of this species has been analysed by Yılmaz (2006) reporting the karyotype formulae 2n=16 as in our study. Our results agree with one of the reports of somatic chromosome number of 2n=16 from the same locality (Yılmaz 2006).

Section is represented by a single species () in Turkey. Karyotype analysis of this species has been performed by us for the first time. Section is represented by four species (, , and Hub.-Mor., 1939) in Turkey. Making a general evaluation of the section, diploid chromosome numbers were found to be different although the localities of the two types ( and ) in the section were similar. The diploid chromosome number is 2n=16 in whereas it is 2n=14 in . The smallest chromosome length of 0.81 μm was measured in in this section while the biggest PageBreakof that was observed in with a length of 3.92 μm. is the species with the smallest arm length of 1.17; however, it is also the species with the biggest centromeric index (6.56). is the one with the biggest total haploid chromosome length of 26.44 μm. This length is rather different compared to the species in other sections. Besides, one pair of satellite chromosome has been observed in . Karyotype formulae of all species in the section are composed of metacentric chromosome pairs. could not been studied due to its inability to be germinated.

Section is represented by two species ( and ) in Turkey. was studied in two different localities (İzmir and Muğla). In Muğla case, tetraploidy was observed differing from the other. Total haploid chromosome length was measured as 5.71 μm in İzmir province while that was 17.58 μm in Muğla province. It can be stated that the distinction between the karyological values obtained from these two localities resulted from locality differences. In Izmir province, the karyotype formula was 7m+1sm whereas it was set as 4m+4sm in Muğla province. Our diploid counts are in agreement with the literature such as one of the reportsPageBreak from Turkish material and many others from different territories (Tutin and Heywood 1964). From a karyological point of view, to obtain same results from the same species confirms the previous studies. The species of is also placed in the section . Compared with the other species () of the section, the chromosome number is the same and the chromosome size measured is very close to each other. However, karyotype formulae are different. Karyotype formulae of is 2m+6sm. Bidak et Amin (1996) reported the somatic chromosome numbers as 2n=16 and 18 in , 2n=16 in , 2n=16 in and 2n=18 in .

The section is represented by a single species () in Turkey. This species was studied in two different localities. Diploid chromosome numbers are the same (2n=16) in both localities of species. The chromosome sizes, total haploid chromosome lengths, arm lengths and centromeric indices are very close to each other while the karyotype formulae are different, i.e. the karyotype formula of Muğla province is 8m, of Antalya province is 5m+3sm. For Darlington and Wylie (1955), in a cytological study conducted on species belonging to , diploid chromosome numbers varied from 2n=16 to 2n=32. For example, they are 2n=16 in , 2n=16 in , 2n=28, 30 and 2n=32 in .

The section is represented by two species ( and ) in Turkey. Karyology of the two species in this section was studied for the first time. The diploid chromosome number of and species were found to be 2n=16=8m. Karyological characteristics of these two species are very close to each other.

The section is represented by two species ( and ) in Turkey. The diploid chromosome number of and were found to be 2n=16=5m+3sm. Karyological characteristics of these two species are very close to each other. There is a marked difference only in terms of total haploid chromosome length. While total haploid chromosome length was 10.36 μm in , that is 4.49 μm in . is also the species having the smallest haploid chromosome length among studied species.

The section is represented by three species (, and ) in Turkey. The diploid chromosome number of and was found as 2n=16=8m. Karyological characteristics of these two species are very close to each other. In addition to A chromosomes, two examples of B chromosomes were observed in differing from the other species of the sections studied. The chromosome number of was reported as 2n=18 by Yılmaz (2006) from the same locality, but he did not mention B chromosomes. The other species of the section, ,could not be studied due to its inability to germination.

The section is represented by in Turkey. It was studied from two different localities. Diploid chromosome numbers are the same (2n=16=8m) in both localities of . Chromosome sizes, total haploid chromosome lengths, arm lengths and centromeric indices are very close to each other. PageBreakThe chromosome number of is in agreement with the previous report (2n=16) by Yılmaz (2006).

The section is represented by five species (, , , and ) in Turkey. Diploid chromosome numbers of the four species studied in this section are the same (2n=16). could not be studied due to failure to germinate. The chromosome morphologies of the species are very close to each other. The karyotype formula of is 8m. In a cytological study performed by Bidak & Amin (1996), diploid chromosome number was found to be 2n=16 and 2n=18 in . Researchers reported two different basic chromosome numbers for this species (x=8 and x=9). However, the basic chromosome number in our study was found to be x=8 for this species. In a cytological study conducted on species, Darlington and Wylie (1955) reported that the diploid chromosome numbers varied from 2n=16 to 2n=32. For example, 2n=16 in , 2n=16 in , 2n=28, 30 and 32 in . Somatic chromosome numbers found in our study are parallel with that report. Two double satellite chromosome pairs were observed in a sample collected from Antalya. The sample collected from İzmir has the biggest total haploid chromosome length (39.78 μm) among all sections. has diploid chromosome number of 2n=16 as in other species in the section. The karyotype formula is 2m+6sm. is the species with the biggest arm ratio in all sections (2.17). Chromosome numbers of only two species were reported in European Flora records, 2n=16 and 2n=16 (Tutin and Heywood 1964). Our results obtained from this study agree with that report. In a study on karyotype analysis of , somatic chromosome numbers were found to be similar to that of our study (Bal, 1990). The diploid chromosome number of is 2n=16 as in all other species in the section. The karyotype formula is 3m+5sm. In another study conducted in six different species (, , , , and ) of the section , diploid chromosome numbers were reported as 2n=16 (Ladizinsky and Vosa, 1986). In this case, our counts agree with the previous study. It is considered that the results obtained from this karyological study have contributed to the taxonomical revision of the genus .