Variation in chromosome numbers and nuclear DNA contents in genetic resources of Lactuca L. species (Asteraceae)

Fifty accessions of 25 Lactuca species,L. serriola ×L. sativa and Mycelismuralis were analyzed for chromosome number and relative DNA amountvariation. In the majority of Lactuca species studiedchromosome counts, as earlier reported (n = 8, 9, 17), were verified; however,for L. dregeana andL. homblei (probablyL. schweinfurthii orL. longespicata) the chromosome number(n = 9) was determined for the first time. Relative nuclear DNA content,estimated by using flow cytometry (DAPI staining), showed that 2C DNA contentranged from 2.02 pg in L.capensis to 17.96 pg inL. canadensis. Statistical and clusteranalysis of data based on relative nuclear DNA contents correspond fairly wellwith recently accepted taxonomic classification of the genusLactuca. However, the position of certain species as wellas clarification of taxonomic determinations of someLactuca accessions needs further examination.