Karyotype asymmetry in some Scilloideae (Hyacinthaceae) members from Algeria

This cytogenetic study attempts to shed light on the karyomorphological and asymmetry data of species in the subfamily Scilloideae previously included in Scilla, namely Hyacinthoides lingulata (Poir.) Rothm., Prospero autumnale (L.) Speta, Prospero obtusifolium (Poir.) Speta, Barnardia numidica (Poir.) Speta, and Oncostema elongata (Parl.) Speta. These taxa are predominantly from the Skikda region (northeastern Algeria). H. lingulata had a somatic chromosome number 2n=2x=16, P. autumnale 2n=2x=14, P. obtusifolium 2n=2x= 8, B. numidica 2n=2x=18, and O. elongata 2n=2x=16. The indices of intrachromosomal (MCA, A1, and AsI) and interchromosomal (CVCL, CVCI, and A2) asymmetry revealed that H. lingulata has the most asymmetrical karyotype (1C), while P. autumnale has the most symmetrical karyotype (3A). P. obtusifolium has a relatively symmetrical karyotype (4A), while B. numidica and O. elongata have both an asymmetrical karyotype (1B). These findings differ from those previously reported for the same taxa in Algeria, hence indicating the substantial genetic variation that exists within the country.