Morphological and karyological variability of the Balkan endemics Moehringia jankae Griseb. ex Janka and Moehringia grisebachii Janka (Caryophyllaceae) from Eastern Balkan Range (Bulgaria)

Neli Grozeva, Mariya Zhelyazkova, Mariya Gerdzhikova, Milena Tzanova, Dimitar Pavlov, Svetlana Georgieva and Dian Georgiev

Abstract: Seven populations of Moehringia jankae and eleven populations of M. grisebachii at Eastern Balkan Range – Sinite Kamani Natural Park were morphologically and karyologically tested. The chromosome numbers, the karyotype characteristics and the stomata type of M. grisebachii and M. jankae were described. Intrapopulation, interpopulation and interspecies variabilities were established. The chromosome number 2n = 2x = 24 have been found in all studied populations. The karyotypes of M. jankae and M. grisebachii consist of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes, differences in morphology and size of chromosomes have been identified and in the studied populations of M. grisebachii were established one pair of chromosomes with satellites. The main source of phenotype variation was intrapopulation variability mainly due to characteristics of habitats of both species and their biological type. More variable in all populations of M. jankae and M. grisebachii were vegetative traits and the most variable was height of stem. The registered interpopulation variability was affected by the differences in the karyotype, the altitude, the exposure and the type of rock, number and area of population. Indumentum, dimentions of leaves and flowers and morphological features of pollen and seeds had taxonomic significance for distinguishing M. jankae from M. grisebachii.

Keywords: karyology; Moehringia grisebachii; Moehringia jankae; morphology; population variations

Date published: 2020-12-14