Meryem Bozkurt

A new genus segregated from Thermopsis (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae): Vuralia

A relict endemic species originating from Turkey, Thermopsis turcica, was excluded from Thermopsis in consideration of morphologic studies based on its flowers and fruits as well as micromorphological features that were obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and data from supporting molecular analyses internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Additionally, phylogenetic analyses (maximum parsimony and neighbour-joining) were conducted using PAUP 4.0 software. These analyses supported a new taxonomical position for the Turkish species. SEM and morphological studies indicated that the species has unique features that have not been observed in other Thermopsideae species. The unique features and characteristics are comprehensively illustrated here. For confirmation of our purpose, the chromosome number and karyotype of V. turcica were determined via the KAMERAM software program. As a result, all detailed examinations and comparisons of Vuralia and related genera suggest that Vuralia is a new monotypic genus within Thermopsideae, and a new genus and combination nova were established for this Turkish species.

Karyomorphology of Turkish species in Centaurea sections Centaurea and Phalolepis (Asteraceae) and implications for taxonomy

Abstract In this paper, 31 mostly endemic and locally distributed Turkish Centaurea taxa belonging to Centaurea and Phalolepis sections were examined in terms of their karyomorphology. The basic chromosome number for all of the studied species was concurringly determined as 9(x = 9) for both sections, excluding C. hierapolitana. We also determined tetraploid and hexaploid species in spite of many species having diploid chromosome numbers. Twelve chromosome counts are reported for the first time and most of the karyotyping analyses are described for the first time via the KAMERAM program. The karyotypes had a predominance of metacentric (m) chromosomes. However, in the karyotyping of six taxa, submetacentric (sm) chromosomes were dominant. Five quantitative asymmetric indices were used to evaluate karyological features of the species. A meaningful dendrogram was carried out to assess the karyotype-symmetry conditions and describe the karyotyping relationships between different taxa.

Karyomorphological study of five Turkish endemic Rhaponticoides Vaill. (Asteraceae, Cardueae) species

Abstract In this paper, we aimed to determine the chromosomal features of Turkish endemic Rhaponticoides species. The chromosome numbers and karyomorphology of five species were examined. The chromosomal counts confirmed the previous reports of 2n = 30 given for Rhaponticoides species growing in different countries . Although R. iconiensis had a karyotype formula of 28m + 2sm, the remaining four species all had 26m + 4sm. Rhaponticoides aytachii and R. hierroi were especially similar in asymmetry indices. Rhaponticoides iconiensis and R. phytiae had satellites in the fourth and second chromosome pairs, respectively. Having the most symmetrical chromosomes, R. amasiensis displayed an important relationship with R. iconiensis and R. phytiae in terms of total chromosome length (TCL). If we make an overall assessment in terms of chromosomal asymmetry, chromosomes indices continues in the low range for each species and this low asymmetry indeces indicate that the species have symmetric chromosomes as karyomorphology. In conclusion, this is the first report which describes the karyotypes and chromosomal asymmetry indices of Turkish endemic Rhaponticoides species.

Karyological studies of four endemic Centaurea L. species

In this paper, four endemic Centaurea species were investigated in terms of their chromosome numbers and karyomorphology. The chromosomal counts confirmed the results of previous reports, that the genus Centaurea has different basic chromosome numbers. Centaurea yaltirikii and Centaurea demirizii are diploid taxa. Centaurea yaltirikii has 2n = 18 chromosomes, and therefore has a basic chromosome number of nine, which is common in the genus Centaurea. A local endemic species, Centaurea demirizii has 2n = 16 chromosomes and a different basic chromosome number of x = 8, and this basic number is relatively rare for Centaurea. Centaurea leptophylla and Centaurea saligna are tetraploid with 2n = 36 chromosomes. We found predominance of chromosomes being metacentric and submetacentric. The results increase our karyological knowledge of these species. Moreover, this paper gives short taxonomic and morphologic notes to complement the information provided by Flora of Turkey with regards to the studied species.