Manoj M. Lekhak

Karyotype studies in two critically endangered and endemic Crinum species (Amaryllidaceae) from Northern-Western Ghats of India

Detailed karyotypic studies have been done in two critically endangered and endemic Crinum species viz. C. brachynema Herb. and C. woodrowii Baker, which belong to two ploidy levels 2x and 4x respectively. The mean chromosome length (MCL) for C. brachynema and C. woodrowii is more or less same. Both the species fall under 3b category of Stebbins classification and exhibit moderately symmetrical karyotype. The similarity in chromosome morphology is in contrast with the marked phenotypic differences exhibited by these two species which in fact belong to two different sections. As these species are under tremendous anthropogenic influence, this communication is an attempt to provide basic chromosome data on these species with the aim that this data can be useful in future breeding work as Crinums have great ornamental potential. This may finally help in domestication of these neglected species and will ultimately lead to their conservation.

Cytotaxonomical investigations into the genus Chlorophytum from India

SummaryThe genus Chlorophytum Ker-Gawl. exhibits a gamut of variation in its morphology and somatic chromosome counts which has made species delimitation in this taxon complex. The present investigation aims to confirm the previous reports on the somatic counts (2n) in this genus. The chromosome count and karyotype of C. breviscapum Dalzell is reported here for the first time. In addition, the paper attempts to present some diagnostic morphological characters which can be used to delimit taxa and to find correlation, if any, between these diagnostic characters and ploidy levels in this genus.

Crinum malabaricum (Amaryllidaceae), a remarkable new aquatic species from Kerala, India and lectotypification of Crinum thaianum

SummaryA new species, Crinum malabaricum Lekhak & S. R. Yadav, is described from a seasonal stream in Periya village of Kerala state, India. Lectotypification of C. thaianum J. Schulze is also provided.

Karyology of Barleria grandiflora Dalzell (Acanthaceae), a potential ornamental endemic to Northern-Western Ghats of India

The genus Barleria L. (Acanthaceae) comprises some 300 species distributed in Africa and Asia. In India it is represented by 26 species, one subspecies and one variety. The genus includes distinct ornamental garden plants. Recent infra-generic classification of the genus recognizes seven sections under two subgenera. Of these, Barleria sect. Cavirostrata is represented by five species in India. All these species are endemic but so far only one species has been studied cytologically. The present communication is an attempt to provide basic cytological data on Barleria grandiflora Dalzell of this section. The species showed 2n = 44, which is the highest chromosome count for the genus so far studied. The karyotype of the species is moderately symmetrical.

Molecular authentication of the traditional medicinal plant “Lakshman Booti” (Smithia conferta Sm.) and its adulterants through DNA barcoding

Background: Smithia conferta Sm. is an annual herb widely used in Indian traditional medical practice and commonly known as “Lakshman booti” in Sanskrit. Morphological resemblance among the species of genus Smithia Aiton. leads to inaccurate identification and adulteration. This causes inconsistent therapeutic effects and also affects the quality of herbal medicine. Aim: This study aimed to generate potential barcode for authentication of S. conferta and its adulterants through DNA barcoding technique. Materials and Methods: Genomic DNA extracted from S. conferta and its adulterants was used as templates for polymerase chain reaction amplification of the barcoding regions. The amplicons were directed for sequencing, and species identification was conducted using BLASTn and unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean trees. In addition, the secondary structures of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 region were predicted. Results: The nucleotide sequence of ITS provides species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms and sequence divergence (22%) than psbA-trnH (10.9%) and rbcL (3.1%) sequences. The ITS barcode indicates that S. conferta and Smithia sensitiva are closely related compared to other species. Conclusion: ITS is the most applicable barcode for molecular authentication of S. conferta, and further chloroplast barcodes should be tested for phylogenetic analysis of genus Smithia. Abbreviations used: BLASTn: Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for Nucleotide; MEGA: Molecular Evolutionary Genetic Analysis; EMBL: European Molecular Biology Laboratory; psbA-trnH: Photosystem II protein D1- stuctural RNA: His tRNA gene; rbcL: Ribulose 1,5 bi-phosphate carboxylase/ oxygenase large subunit gene.

Cytogenetic Studies in Indian Drimia Jacq. (Urgineoideae: Hyacinthaceae)

Drimia (Urgineoideae: Hyacinthaceae) is a group of geophytes that bear tunicated bulbs. It is represented by more than 100 species distributed in Southern Europe, Africa and Asia. In India, Drimia has nine species (Drimia indica, D. coromandeliana, D. govindappae, D. nagarjunae, D. polyantha, D. polyphylla, D. raogibikei, D. razii and D. wightii). Species of the genus fall in two groups, namely, synanthous and hysteranthous. In the former, the leaves and flower appear simultaneously, while the latter group shows two distinct phases wherein the vegetative (leaf-bearing) and reproductive (flowering-bearing) periods are separated in time. Similarly, based on anthesis, species can be segregated into two groups, viz. night-blooming and day-blooming species. This is actually a temporal isolation that prevents gene flow amongst species. Of the nine species in India, Drimia polyphylla which is known to occur in the Deccan Peninsula has never been collected since its type collection. Drimia nagarjunae, the most robust Indian species, is probably closely related to the African D. maritima. Drimia species are well known for their large-sized chromosomes with usually subterminal constrictions. Seven species have been cytogenetically examined so far. Cytogenetical studies reveal the presence of many cytotypes at the population level. The most common diploid chromosome number for Indian Drimia is 2n = 20. The species exhibiting 2n = 20 are Drimia indica, D. govindappae, D. nagarjunae, D. polyantha, D. razii and D. wightii. In addition, diploid numbers (2n) of 30 (Drimia indica), 40 (D. coromandeliana, D. indica and D. species) and 60 (D. indica) are also on record. Geographical distribution of Drimia species and their cytotypes is well correlated. For instance, populations of Drimia species on higher altitudes where edapho-climatic conditions are harsh show presence of B chromosomes. Crossability studies in Indian Drimia show that D. nagarjunae and D. wightii are reproductively isolated from the rest of the species, while other species show varying degree of crossability indicating their genetic proximity.

Generic identity of Camptorrhiza indica (Colchicaceae) based on cytogenetics and molecular phylogenetics

The tribe Iphigenieae (Colchicaceace, Liliales) includes two genera, viz. Camptorrhiza and Iphigenia, which are distributed in Africa, India, and Australasia. Iphigenia is represented by 12 species, of which six occur in India while Camptorrhiza comprises one species each in Africa (C. strumosa) and India (C. indica). The genus Camptorrhiza possesses a knee‐shaped tuber attached to the corms, filaments with a thick bulge in the middle and styles with single stigma. Iphigenia on the other hand lacks knee‐shaped tuber, bears linear filaments and has styles with three stigmas. Camptorrhiza indica possesses ovoid corms, linear filaments and styles with a single stigma. These characters are intermediate between Iphigenia and Camptorrhiza and hence we studied the cytogenetics and phylogenetic placement of this species to ascertain its generic identity. Somatic chromosome count (2n = 22) and karyotypic features of C. indica are very similar to that of Iphigenia species. Molecular phylogenetic studies based on atpB‐rbcL, rps16, trnL, and trnL‐F regions showed that C. indica is nested within a lineage of Indian Iphigenia species. Thus, C. indica was reduced to a species of Iphigenia, i.e., I. ratnagirica. Camptorrhiza is now a monotypic genus restricted only to southern Africa. A key to the Indian Iphigenia species is provided. In addition, a new combination Wurmbea novae‐zelandiae is proposed for Iphigenia novae‐zelandiae.

Cytogenetics of two endemic Barleria species (Acanthaceae) from the northern Western Ghats (India)

Abstract Chromosome studies have been carried out on two endemic species of the northern Western Ghats, India, viz. Barleria lawii and B. sepalosa. Both species showed 2n = 40 mitotic chromosomes. Chromosomes had median region centromeres and both species exhibited a karyotype formula of 20m. Karyotypes were moderately symmetrical and fell into category 4b of Stebbins’ asymmetry classes. Values for the intrachromosomal index (A1) for Barleria lawii and B. sepalosa were 0.23 and 0.28, respectively, while the interchromosomal index (A2) for the former was 0.19 and 0.23 for the latter. Meiosis was found to be normal and both species had 20 bivalents at diplotene/diakinesis. These data on cytogenetics add to the information about karyosystematics of Barleria section Chrysothrix and will be useful in understanding species interrelationships and also in undertaking hybridization programmes for producing hybrids of ornamental interest. Since gross chromosome morphology of the two species in particular, and all Barleria species for which chromosome data are available in general, is similar, it is suggested that further linear differentiation of chromosomes and better understanding of karyotype evolution in Barleria should be possible using banding techniques and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) approaches.

Taxonomy and karyology of Nogra dalzellii (Baker) Merr. (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), a little-known Indian legume

Nogra dalzellii (Baker) Merr. is an endemic legume that is sporadically distributed in the Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra states of India. A detailed taxonomic account and karyological investigations on the species are not yet available. The taxonomy of Nogra dalzellii is reviewed here. Complete description and illustration are provided. The binomial Grona dalzellii Baker [(≡) Nogra dalzellii] is lectotypified. A diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22 and karyotype of Nogra dalzellii are reported here for the first time. The mean chromosome length is 2.55 ± 0.41 μm and the total chromosome length of the haploid genome 28.01 ± 0.41 μm. The shortest chromosome measures 1.83 ± 0.37 μm and the longest one 3.25 ± 0.57 μm. The karyotype of the species is highly symmetrical, falling in the 2a category with the karyotype formula: 11m.

Chlorophytum sharmae (Asparagaceae): a new species from Kerala, India

Summary. A new species of Chlorophytum, C. sharmae from the southern Western Ghats of India is described and illustrated here. It is similar to C. glaucum Dalzell but differs by its narrow, linear leaves with serrulate margins, large flowers, smooth filaments and apiculate anthers shorter than filaments. The chromosome number (2n) of the species is 42.