Te genus Crocus, series Crocus (Iridaceae) in Turkey and 2 East Aegean Islands: A genetic approach

In this study, a total of 26 Crocus specimens from different locations across Turkey and 2 East Aegean islands (Chios and Samos) were analyzed using 12 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations to obtain information on genetic diversity, population structure, and genetic relationships. A total of 369 polymorphic AFLP bands were generated and scored as binary data. Genetic similarities were determined. Cluster analysis revealed 4 major groups among the 26 genotypes examined in this study. The nuclear DNA contents (2C) of the 26 Crocus specimens were found to range from 5.08 pg in C. asumaniae to 9.75 pg in C. sativus. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values were used to examine the capacity of the various primer pairs to amplify polymorphisms in the Crocus specimens. The PIC values ranged from 0.218 (M-CAA/E-AGC) to 0.512 (M-CAT/E-AAG) and showed an average of 0.34. In sum, we herein used AFLP analysis to identify a high level of polymorphism among Crocus specimens collected from various locations in Turkey and Greece, and our structural analysis yielded 2 reconstructed populations. Tese fndings provide new insight into the relationships among different Crocus genotypes and show that AFLP analysis can be useful for Crocus diversity studies. © TÜBİTAK

Seed structure of some taxa of the genus Crocus L. (iridaceae) series crocus

In this study, the macro-and micromorphological seed characteristics of the genus Crocus L. series Crocus taxa, including C. pallasii, C. turcicus, C. dispathaceus, C. asumaniae, C. mathewii, C. thomasii, C. oreocreticus, and C. cartwrightianus, were observed. Morphological characteristics, such as the size, shape, color, and seed surface structures, were analyzed using stereo and scanning electron microscopes. Testa layer structures including the outer and inner testae, phytomelan layer structure and thickness, and seed endosperm cell features were studied. Differences in the seed, raphe size, seed surface patterns, inner testa features, and phytomelan layer thickness were observed at an interspecific level. The results revealed differences in the seed morphology and anatomy with a few exceptions. © TÜBİTAK

Crocus chrysanthus s. lato

New taxa in Crocus are described from Turkey: C. chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus var. bicoloraceus F. Candan & N. Ozhatay var. nov. and C. chrysanthus subsp. chrysanthus var. atroviolaceus F. Candan & N. Ozhatay var. nov.; C. chrysanthus subsp. punctatus F. Candan & N. Ozhatay subsp. nov., C. chrysanthus subsp. kesercioglui F. Candan & N. Ozhatay subsp. nov. and C. chrysanthus subsp. sipyleus F. Candan & N. Ozhatay subsp. nov. A new classification of the species is based mainly on the colour of flowers and anthers, type of pollen grains, seed surface ornamentation, and chromosome numbers