Cytotaxonomy of the Genus Aspidistra from Guizhou

The correlation between the karyotype structure and morphological characteristics among 6 spcies of the genus Aspidistra from Guizhou were investigated based on their chromosome number and external morphology.Among all these 6 species, one was found to have the chromosome number 2n = 36 and the other five with a 2n=38 karyotype.Their karyotype formulas are listed as follows: (1) Aspidistra pingtangensis: 2n=38=20m+4sm (2sat)+14st; (2) A.liboensis: 2n=38=22m (2sat)+4sm+12st; (3) A.chishuiensis: 2n=38=22m (2sat)+8sm+8st; (4) A.fungilliformis 2n=36=18m (2sat)+4sm+14st; (5) A.sichuanensis: 2n=38=22m (2sat)+4sm+12st; (6) A.caespitosa: 2n=38=20m+6sm (2sat)+12st.All the above species had bimodal karyotypes belonging to the Stebbins’ karyotype classification 2C.The chromosome number and karyotype of A.pingtangensis, A.liboensis, and A.chishuiensis were reported for the first time.The results showed that in terms of nuclear structure and external morphology this genus has some relevance, and cytotaxonomy can clarify the evolutionary origins of this species to provide a basis for classification and identification.