Chromosome Evolution in the GenusCrinum

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Abstract
The somatic chromosomes of 28 accessions of Crinum have been studies. Ten of these were polyploid (3x, 4x, 6x, 8x) and the remainder diploid. B chromosomes were present in seven plants. Aneusomatic variation does not occur to any significant extent. The common basic number is x = 11 but accessions, based on x = 12 derive from the Accra Plains of Ghana. Comparative chromosome morphology shows that a uniform pattern prevails throughout the x = 11 species but that of the x = 12 plants is quite distinct and includes three pairs of telocentrics. There is every indication that this unique karyotype is closely correlated with the distribution of the species in an area of particular ecological interest.