Taxonomy and cytology study of genus Arnebia Forssk. (Boraginaceae-Lithospermeae)

Since several studies have been performed to determine the tribal relationships of the family Boraginaceae as well as the genera relations within the tribes, but no comprehensive studies have been performed on the genus Arnebia. And all studies have been limited to comparing one or more representatives of the species of this genus. Although Boraginaceae cytology studies show the polyploidy does not a significant role in its evolution, aneuploidy plays an important role in this direction. To comply with other members of the family, it appears that aneuploidy has a major impress in Arnebia speciation. Among the ۸ species of Arnebia which grow in Iran, only four species have been reported chromosome numbers yet, and the numbers have varied from n = ۴ to n = ۱۱ .In the present study, the chromosome count of its species was investigated from different regions. Due to its medicinal application, determining inter-species relationships through cytology helps to designate the species boundaries. Because of common aneuploidy in the Boraginaceae and the Arnebia, this genus could be a nice delegate in morphological trait diversity and molecular biology studies. The most important usage of the present study is to understand the diversity and define the species boundaries of this genus.

کلیدواژه ها:

Taxonomy ، Cytology ، Arnebia ، Boraginaceae