Abstract Stylosanthes (Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) is a predominantly Neotropical genus with ~48 species that include worldwide important forage species. This study presents the chromosome number and morphology of eight species of the genus Stylosanthes (S. acuminata, S. gracilis, S. grandifolia, S. guianensis, S. hippocampoides, S. pilosa, S. macrocephala, and S. ruellioides). In addition, staining with CMA and DAPI, in situ hybridization with 5S and 35S rDNA probes, and estimation of DNA content were performed. The interpretation of Stylosanthes chromosome diversification was anchored by a comparison with the sister genus Arachis and a dated molecular phylogeny based on nuclear and plastid loci. Stylosanthes species showed 2n = 20, with low cytomolecular diversification regarding 5S rDNA, 35S rDNA, and genome size. Arachis has a more ancient diversification (~7 Mya in the Pliocene) than the relatively recent Stylosanthes (~2 Mya in the Pleistocene), and it seems more diverse than its sister lineage. Our data support the idea that the cytomolecular stability of Stylosanthes in relation to Arachis could be a result of its recent origin. The recent diversification of Stylosanthes could also be related to the low morphological differentiation among species, and to the recurrent formation of allopolyploid complexes.

RESUMO Agapanthus (Agapanthaceae) possui 10 espécies descritas. No entanto a maioria dos taxonomistas difere relativamente a este número, devido à grande plasticidade fenotípica das espécies. A citogenética tem sido uma ferramenta importante para auxiliar a identificação de taxa de plantas, e até o momento, todas as espécies de Agapanthus L'Héritier estudadas citologicamente, apresentaram 2n = 30. Embora as espécies possuam grandes cromossomos, o grupo é cariologicamente pouco explorado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo aumentar o conhecimento citogenético de Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns pela utilização de técnicas de bandeamento cromossômico com DAPI / CMA3 e Hibridização in situ Fluorescente (FISH). Além disso, a citometria de fluxo foi utilizada para a determinação do conteúdo de DNA e do percentual de bases nitrogenadas AT e GC. As plantas estudadas apresentaram 2n = 30 cromossomos, variando de 4,34 - 8,55 µm, com a fórmula cariotípica (KF) = 10m + 5sm. Através da FISH, um sinal para rDNA 45S foi observada proximalmente ao centrômero do cromossomo 7, enquanto que para os sítios de rDNA 5S, observamos um sinal proximal ao centrômero do cromossomo 9. O conteúdo 2C de DNA estimado para a espécie foi de 2C = 24,4 com 59% de AT e 41% de GC. Nossos dados possibilitaram uma atualização importante para a biologia e citotaxonomia de Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns.

ABSTRACT Agapanthus (Agapanthaceae) has 10 species described. However, most taxonomists differ respect to this number because the great phenotypic plasticity of the species. The cytogenetic has been an important tool to aid the plant taxon identification, and to date, all taxa of Agapanthus L'Héritier studied cytologically, presented 2n = 30. Although the species possess large chromosomes, the group is karyologically little explored. This work aimed to increase the cytogenetic knowledge of Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns by utilization of chromosome banding techniques with DAPI / CMA3 and Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH). In addition, flow cytometry was used for determination of DNA content and the percentage of AT / GC nitrogenous bases. Plants studied showed 2n = 30 chromosomes, ranging from 4.34 - 8.55 µm, with the karyotype formulae (KF) = 10m + 5sm. Through FISH, one 45S rDNA signal was observed proximally to centromere of the chromosome 7, while for 5S rDNA sites we observed one signal proximally to centromere of chromosome 9. The 2C DNA content estimated for the species was 2C = 24.4 with 59% of AT and 41% of GC. Our data allowed important upgrade for biology and cytotaxonomy of Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns.