MORPHOLOGY OF THE PACHYTENE CHROMOSOMES OF PHYSALIS-PUBESCENS L

The genus Physalis is a complex defying satisfactory taxonomic treatment. Classical methods of taxonomy seem to be rather inadequate at the subgeneric level. Although, considerable attention was paid by systematists and cytogeneticists, the interspecific relationships in Physalis are not well understood (Rydeberg, 1896, Menzel 1951, 1957, and 1960), Gottschalk (1954), and Waterfall (1958, 1959 and 1967). A comparision of chromosome morophology of different species of Physalis may serve as a useful aid to the understanding of the interspecific relationships in the genus. Except for Gottschalk's (1954) observations on Solanum tomatillo (Physalis ixocarpa) and Physalis philadelphica, complete information on the morphology of the pachytene chromosomes in other members is not available. The chromosomes at pachytene stage present characteristic features. Identification of the individual chromosomes of the complement at this stage will also provide a prerequisite for cytological and genetic mapping of the chromosomes in the taxa. With a view to provide a detailed account of the morphology of the pachytene chromosomes in the genus Physalis for comparative purposes P. pubescens L., was studied and the results are presented in this paper. © 1979, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.