Chromosome number and cytomorphological characterization of a polyploid Abrus

Abstract

Chromosome counts from natural populations of Abrus pulchellus in Nigeria were carried out. Tetraploid (2n = 44) chromosome number was constant in all the samples investigated. The 44 chromosomes fall into three cytomorphological categories: eight metacentric and eight submetacentric pairs, and six acrocentric pairs. The chromosomes are relatively small in length ranging from 0.5 to 1.4m. The polyploid (tetraploid) cytotype is reported for the first time for this taxon.

African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (7), pp. 607-610, 2005