Abstract Chromosomal data and karyological relationships provides valuable contributions to understanding speciation and karyotypic phylogeny. Because of the large number of species, wide distribution, morphological differences and chromosomal variations, Geranium is an important genus for determining the relationship between chromosomal alterations and karyotypic phylogeny. In the present study, the chromosomal data of 38 taxa are provided, nine of which are given for the first time (G. eginense, G. gracile, G. ibericum subsp. jubatum, G. lasiopus, G. libani, G. libanoticum, G. petri-davisii, G. ponticum, G. psilostemon), five present new chromosome numbers (G. asphodeloides, G. ibericum subsp. ibericum, G. molle subsp. molle, G. pretense, G. rotundifolium), and 24 agree with previous reports. Eleven different diploid numbers (2n = 18, 20, 22, 26, 28, 30, 32, 46, 48, 64, and 84) are detected. In basic numbers, infraspecific variations are encountered. The comprehensive variations of basic numbers and the relatively low rate of polyploid species showed in the present study promote the evolutionary significance of karyotype alterations by dysploidy mechanism. Regarding karyological relationships, G. sanguineum forms a monophyletic group by quite different karyological features, which are different basic number, diploid number, and karyotype sample and high ploidy level. Other clad consists of two subclades with a medium strong monophyletic group. In regression analyses, there are significant positive correlations between THL and 2n/ploidy levels. Asymmetry indices (CVCL and MCA) show weak positive correlations mainly caused by polyploidy. The most asymmetrical karyotypes are G. molle subsp. bruitium in intrachromosomal asymmetry and G. asphodeloides in interchromosomal asymmetry.

In this study, the cytogenetic effects of black tea and green tea were determined in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes. Results showed that black tea and green tea induced the mitotic and replication indexes and decreased micronuclei. But these data were not statistically significant for green tea. The effects of black tea on the micronucleus formation and mitotic index were statistically significant. The decrease in micronucleus counts indicated that black tea and green tea had considerable anticlastogenic and antigenotoxic effects as observed in vitro in human lymphocytes. Thus, it could be concluded that tea polyphenols protected the normal cells from genotoxic or carcinogenic agents, which indicated the therapeutic and antioxidative role of catechins, flavonoids or other tea compounds.