Meiotic Chromosome Count for Chlorophytum sabiense Omok

Abstract

Chlorophytum sabiense Omok (the newly identified taxon in the family Asparagaceae from the Western Tropical Africa) exhibits some exceptional characteristics having; three ovaries, each with a distinct style and stigmas with few lobes. These features separate Chlorophytum sabiense from most species reported in West Africa. Significance of floral characters in taxonomy cannot be overemphasis; as the most reliable morphological feature. In view of this, evidences are required to ascertain true taxonomic statue of the species. In the present contribution, meiotic study was employed as a veritable tool; to investigate pairing pattern of the haploid chromosomes of the species and also to determine the haploid chromosome number for the species. Flower buds at the right age were collected, treated using the conventional method and studied from pachytene to full metaphase. At diakinesis seven bivalents (7 II) were obtained, thus indicate that the species belong to n=7 series of the genus. Seven bivalents (7 II) were however less prevalent (31.9%) compared with multivalents, which indicates high incidence of chromosome stickiness at metaphase I of the species.