Genome Size and Karyotype Studies in Five Species of Lantana (Verbenaceae)

Lantana species are an important component of the U.S. environmental horticulture industry. The most commonly produced and used L . camara and, on a smaller scale, montevidensis Both were introduced to United States from Central and/or South America. native continental include canescens , depressa involucrata etc. them have not been well exploited. This study was conducted obtain information about somatic chromosome numbers, karyotypes, genome size these five species. Nuclear DNA content in ranged 2.74 pg/2C ( ) 6.29 L. var. ). Four numbers observed: 2 n = x 22 ‘Lola’ ‘Denholm White’, 4 44 24 involucrata, 3 36 montevidensis. Two basic 11 12 Analysis metaphases resulted formulas 20m + 2sm for 12m 12sm 44m 10m 14sm 32m 4sm Satellites identified all species, but associated with different group had longest total chromatin length (146.78 µm) range 1.88 4.41 µm individual chromosomes. maximum arm ratio observed 2.5 3. only that its centromeres located median region chromosome. results show significant differences nuclear content, number, karyotype among three two lantana will help identify, preserve, protect, use be helpful assessing ploidy levels genus by flow cytometry.