Toulicia crassifolia Radlk. (Sapindaceae, Sapindeae): carpological and seminal characters, distribution and cytogenetics

Se completa la diagnosis original de Toulicia crassifolia Radlk. (Sapindaceae, Sapindeae) mediante la descripción del fruto y la semilla, hasta ahora desconocidos; el lectotipo es aquí designado. Esta especie conocida para Minas Gerais y Pernambuco, es ahora registrada para Bahia, Goiás y Tocantins. Nuestro recuento de 2n = 28, constituye el primer registro para el género; la fórmula cariotípica es 4m + 14sm + 10st, ésta muestra una relativa asimetría (TF % = 15,9)The original diagnoses of Toulicia crassifolia Radlk. is completed, through the description of its fruit and seed so far unknown; the lectotype is here designated. This species, known from Minas Gerais and Pernambuco, is reported for the first time for Bahia, Goiás and Tocantins. Our count of 2n = 28, is the first record for the genus; the mitotic karyotype is 4m + 14sm + 10st and it shows a relative asymmetry (TF % = 15,9).Fil: Ferrucci, MarÍa Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasi

Estimation of genome size in species of the tribe Cestreae (Solanaceae) by image cytometry

Los géneros Cestrum, Sessea y Vestia pertenecen a la tribu Cestreae y presentan varias características cromosómicas que los diferencian de otras especies de Solanaceae, como el número y tamaño cromosómico. El tamaño del genoma contribuiría a generar nuevas hipótesis sobre su evolución en los clados basales de Solanaceae. Para estimar el tamaño del genoma en especies de Cestreae fue utilizada la citometría de imagen de núcleos en interfase y telofase teñidos con la técnica de Feulgen. Los valores del tamaño del genoma en las especies analizadas de Cestreae varían entre 17,22 a 24,40 Gpb (2C), siendo los mayores tamaños de genoma de la familia. Además los resultados demuestran que la citometría de imagen es un método alternativo a la citometría de flujo que permite la determinación del tamaño del genoma en forma práctica y económica.Cestrum, Sessea and Vestia genera belong to Cestreae tribe and have several chromosome characteristics that differentiate it from other species of Solanaceae, such as number and size. Genome size would contribute to new hypotheses about evolution in basal clades of Solanaceae. To estimate the genome size Cestreae species was used image cytometry of telophase and interphase nuclei stained with Feulgen technique. The values of genome size in species analyzed ranging from 17.22 to 24.40 Gpb (2C), being the largest genome sizes of the family. Furthermore, the results show that the image cytometry is an alternative method to flow cytometry for the determination of the genome size in practical and economical way.Fil: Frossasco, Aquiles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Trenchi, Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Chromosomal Differentiation of Deschampsia (Poaceae) Based on Four Satellite DNA Families

Diverse families of satellite DNA (satDNA) were detected in heterochromatin regions of Deschampsia. This kind of repetitive DNA consists of tandem repeat sequences forming big arrays in genomes, and can contribute to lineages differentiation. The differentiation between types of satDNA is related to their sequence identity, the size and number of monomers forming the array, and their chromosomal location. In this work, four families of satDNA (D2, D3, D12, D13), previously isolated by genomic analysis, were studied on chromosomal preparations of 12 species of Deschampsia (D. airiformis, D. antarctica, D. cespitosa, D. cordillerarum, D. elongata, D. kingii, D. laxa, D. mendocina, D. parvula, D. patula, D. venustula, and Deschampsia sp) and one of Deyeuxia (D. eminens). Despite the number of satDNA loci showing interspecific variation, the general distribution pattern of each satDNA family is maintained. The four satDNA families are AT-rich and associated with DAPI + heterochromatin regions. D2, D3, and D12 have mainly subterminal distribution, while D13 is distributed in intercalary regions. Such conservation of satDNA patterns suggests a not random distribution in genomes, where the variation between species is mainly associated with the array size and the loci number. The presence of satDNA in all species studied suggests a low genetic differentiation of sequences. On the other hand, the variation of the distribution pattern of satDNA has no clear association with phylogeny. This may be related to high differential amplification and contraction of sequences between lineages, as explained by the library model.Fil: González, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Chiapella, Jorge Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Improvements in cytological preparations for fluorescent in situ hybridization in Passiflora

Cytological preparations for the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique require cytoplasm-free metaphases, with well-spread chromosomes, for the localization of DNA sequences and chromosome mapping. We tested various procedures for FISH analysis of Passiflora cacaoensis, P. gardneri and hybrid F₁ progeny of P. gardneri x P. gibertii. Two treatments with four enzymes and three incubation times were compared. The material was treated with 1.0 M HCl before enzymatic digestion. The following criteria were used to determine the quality of the metaphases: a) lack or presence of cytoplasm; b) well-spread chromosomes or with overlap; c) complete or incomplete chromosome number (2n). The enzyme Pectinex(®) SP ULTRA gave the best performance, with the shortest incubation time. The best results were observed after 30 min of incubation; more than 70% of the metaphases did not have large amounts of cytoplasm or overlapping chromosomes, and about 75% maintained the chromosome number. FISH was carried out using a 45S rDNA probe (pTa71) labeled with biotin and detected with fluorescein isothiocyanate. Sites with strong staining and without nonspecific signals were observed. Our methodological adaptations allowed the preparation of metaphase slides of high quality for the FISH technique, with less time required for the preparation of samples.Fil: Souza, M. M.. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. Departamento de Ciências Biológicas; BrasilFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinar de Biología Vegetal (p). Grupo Vinculado Centro de Relevamiento y Evaluacion de Recursos Agricolas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Forni Martins, E. R.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Biologia. Departamento de Biologia Vegetal; Brasi

Estimation of genome size in species of the tribe Cestreae (Solanaceae) by image cytometry

Los géneros Cestrum, Sessea y Vestia pertenecen a la tribu Cestreae y presentan varias características cromosómicas que los diferencian de otras especies de Solanaceae, como el número y tamaño cromosómico. El tamaño del genoma contribuiría a generar nuevas hipótesis sobre su evolución en los clados basales de Solanaceae. Para estimar el tamaño del genoma en especies de Cestreae fue utilizada la citometría de imagen de núcleos en interfase y telofase teñidos con la técnica de Feulgen. Los valores del tamaño del genoma en las especies analizadas de Cestreae varían entre 17,22 a 24,40 Gpb (2C), siendo los mayores tamaños de genoma de la familia. Además los resultados demuestran que la citometría de imagen es un método alternativo a la citometría de flujo que permite la determinación del tamaño del genoma en forma práctica y económica.Cestrum, Sessea and Vestia genera belong to Cestreae tribe and have several chromosome characteristics that differentiate it from other species of Solanaceae, such as number and size. Genome size would contribute to new hypotheses about evolution in basal clades of Solanaceae. To estimate the genome size Cestreae species was used image cytometry of telophase and interphase nuclei stained with Feulgen technique. The values of genome size in species analyzed ranging from 17.22 to 24.40 Gpb (2C), being the largest genome sizes of the family. Furthermore, the results show that the image cytometry is an alternative method to flow cytometry for the determination of the genome size in practical and economical way.Fil: Frossasco, Aquiles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Trenchi, Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Pollen quality, meiotic abnormalities and poliploidy inSisyrinchium commutatum (Iridaceae)

O comportamento meiótico de Sisyrinchium commutatum (Iridaceae) foi avaliado e associado com as altas taxas de inviabilidae polínica observada em uma população do sudeste do Brasil. Além disso, pela primeira vez, descreve-se o número cromossômico desta espécie, contribuindo assim para a sistemática do grupo. Alguns aspectos da biologia floral são relatados , como a ocorrência de apresentação secundária de pólen e a ausência de autopolinização espontânea e apomixia para esta espécie. Os resultados do presente trabalho confirmam a ação das anormalidades meióticas como possível mecanismo disruptivo na formação de grãos-de-pólen com consequências ao sucesso reprodutivo na população estudada .The meiotic behaviour of Sisyrinchium commutatum (Iridaceae) was studied and associated to the pollen quality observed in a southeastern population in Brazil. For the first time, the chromosome number is reported for this species (2n = 36). Some traits of floral biology were recorded and secondary pollen presentation as well as the absence of autonomous self-fertilization and apomixy were observed. The results of this study confirm the abnormalities in the meiosis process breaking the pollen grain formation with consequences to reproductive success in the studied population.Fil: Avila Jr., Rubem Samuel de. Universidade Federal do Pampa; BrasilFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Gil, A. S. Bragança. Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi; Argentin

Chromosomal differentiation of Tribe Cestreae (Solanaceae) by analyses of 18-5.8-26S and 5S rDNA distribution

Tribe Cestreae is monophyletic with three genera: Cestrum, Sessea, and Vestia. Karyotypically, it is outstanding within Solanaceae by several features: (1) basic number x = 8, (2) large chromosome sizes, (3) complex heterochromatin patterns, (4) occurrence of B-chromosomes (Bs) in Cestrum with particular banding patterns and rDNA sites distribution, and (5) absence of Arabidopsis-type telomeres. Seventeen South American Cestreae species from the three genera were studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with ribosomal DNA regions (5S and 18-5.8-26S) as probes, with the aim of recognizing specific or group-specific chromosomal markers and analyzing karyotype diversity in a systematic and evolutionary context. The first chromosome number report for Cestrum euanthes, C. kunthii, C. lorentzianum, and C. tomentosum is included. Variation in number and distribution of rDNA loci was observed among the species, concerning both As and Bs chromosomes. Despite the constancy of the karyotype and numbers of rDNA loci, the mapping of 18-5.8-26S and 5S rDNA loci allowed to differentiate Cestreae genera and species groups within Cestrum, highlighting the importance of these markers as cytotaxonomic character in this tribe.Fil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); ArgentinaFil: Chiarini, Franco Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); ArgentinaFil: Stiefkens, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); ArgentinaFil: Bernardello, Gabriel Luis Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (p); Argentin

Full-length LTR retroelements in Capsicum annuum revealed a few species-specific family bursts with insertional preferences

Capsicum annuum is a species that has undergone an expansion of the size of its genome caused mainly by the amplification of repetitive DNA sequences, including mobile genetic elements. Based on information obtained from sequencing the genome of pepper, the estimated fraction of retroelements is approximately 81%, and previous results revealed an important contribution of lineages derived from Gypsy superfamily. However, the dynamics of the retroelements in the C. annuum genome is poorly understood. In this way, the present work seeks to investigate the phylogenetic diversity and genomic abundance of the families of autonomous (complete and intact) LTR retroelements from C. annuum and inspect their distribution along its chromosomes. In total, we identified 1151 structurally full-length retroelements (340 Copia; 811 Gypsy) grouped in 124 phylogenetic families in the base of their retrotranscriptase. All the evolutive lineages of LTR retroelements identified in plants were present in pepper; however, three of them comprise 83% of the entire LTR retroelements population, the lineages Athila, Del/Tekay, and Ale/Retrofit. From them, only three families represent 70.8% of the total number of the identified retroelements. A massive family-specific wave of amplification of two of them occurred in the last 0.5 Mya (GypsyCa_16; CopiaCa_01), whereas the third is more ancient and occurred 3.0 Mya (GypsyCa_13). Fluorescent in situ hybridization performed with family and lineage-specific probes revealed contrasting patterns of chromosomal affinity. Our results provide a database of the populations LTR retroelements specific to C. annuum genome. The most abundant families were analyzed according to chromosome insertional preferences, suppling useful tools to the design of retroelement-based markers specific to the species.Fil: Yañez Santos, Anahi Mara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Paz, Rosalia Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; ArgentinaFil: Paz Sepúlveda, Paula Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular; ArgentinaFil: Urdampilleta, Juan Domingo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Full-length LTR retroelements in <i>Capsicum annuum</i> revealed a few species-specific family bursts with insertional preferences

Capsicum annuum is a species that has undergone an expansion of the size of its genome caused mainly by the amplification of repetitive DNA sequences, including mobile genetic elements. Based on information obtained from sequencing the genome of pepper, the estimated fraction of retroelements is approximately 81%, and previous results revealed an important contribution of lineages derived from Gypsy superfamily. However, the dynamics of the retroelements in the C. annuum genome is poorly understood. In this way, the present work seeks to investigate the phylogenetic diversity and genomic abundance of the families of autonomous (complete and intact) LTR retroelements from C. annuum and inspect their distribution along its chromosomes. In total, we identified 1151 structurally full-length retroelements (340 Copia; 811 Gypsy) grouped in 124 phylogenetic families in the base of their retrotranscriptase. All the evolutive lineages of LTR retroelements identified in plants were present in pepper; however, three of them comprise 83% of the entire LTR retroelements population, the lineages Athila, Del/Tekay, and Ale/Retrofit. From them, only three families represent 70.8% of the total number of the identified retroelements. A massive family-specific wave of amplification of two of them occurred in the last 0.5 Mya (GypsyCa_16; CopiaCa_01), whereas the third is more ancient and occurred 3.0 Mya (GypsyCa_13). Fluorescent in situ hybridization performed with family and lineage-specific probes revealed contrasting patterns of chromosomal affinity. Our results provide a database of the populations LTR retroelements specific to C. annuum genome. The most abundant families were analyzed according to chromosome insertional preferences, suppling useful tools to the design of retroelement-based markers specific to the species.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celula

Citotaxonomic studies in Paulolinieae species (sapindaceae)

Orientadores: Eliana Regina Forni Martins, Maria Silvia FerrucciTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Diferentes aspectos citotaxonômicos foram explorados em Paullinieae (Sapindaceae). Foram descritas 29 novas contagens cromossômicas estudando 44 espécies sul-americanas de Cardiospermum, Houssayanthus, Paullinia, Serjania, Thinouia e Urvillea. Os cariótipos em Thinouia exibiram grande homogeneidade, mas devido a semelhanças com as tribos Cupanieae, Paullinieae e Thouineae, os caracteres cromossômicos não permitiram definir sua posição taxonômica em Sapindaceae. A redução no número cromossômico é uma sinapomorfia em Paullinieae. Os números básicos x = 14, 15 e 16 apresentam maior frequência em Sapindaceae, mas em Paullinieae, o x = 14 é uma simplesiomorfia unicamente observada em Thinouia e Lophostigma. O número básico x = 12, frequente em Paullinieae, encontra-se presente em Cardiospermum, Houssayanthus, Paullinia, Serjania e Urvillea. Particularmente em Houssayanthus e Serjania, 2n = 24 é conservado. A redução cromossômica é mais evidente em Cardiospermum e Urvillea. A classificação infragenérica de Urvillea em duas seções é reforçada pela presença de números básicos diferentes. Esta variação no número básico permitiu também caracterizar algumas seções em Cardiospermum. A redução no número cromossômico em Cardiospermum foi reafirmada com observações em C. heringeri (2n = 24) e C. integerrimum (2n = 14), onde a disploidia estaria relacionada à relocalização dos genes de DNA ribossomal. Foram descrito eventos de poliploidia nos três gêneros do "clado Paullinia", Cardiospermum, Paullinia e Urvillea, destacando a importância deste processo evolutivo e sua distribuição fitogeográfica. A maior diversidade cariotípica da tribo Paullinieae foi observada em Cardiospermum, os números básicos variam de x = 12 a x = 7 e os comprimentos cromossômicos diferem até seis vezes no valor. O tipo de núcleo em intérfase e o comportamento dos cromossomos na prófase definem dois grupos principais, parcialmente associados com a classificação infragenérica proposta para Cardiospermum. A diversidade cariotípica em Cardiospermum é refletida nas diversas adaptações no hábito, distribuição fitogeográfica e variações morfológicas. A localização e número dos loci de DNAr 18-5,8-26S e 5S em Paulliniaeae é variável e a não-sintenia destes genes foi a característica mais frequente. A sintenia destes genes é um caráter que diferencia unicamente a seção Carphospermum em Cardiospermum. O número e localização dos loci de DNAr foram marcadores específicos para alguns táxons. Não existe uma relação estritamente linear entre número de loci e nível de ploidia, como esperado em autopoliplóides recentes, indicando possíveis eventos de hibridação e reorganização genômica nos complexos poliplóides. Outra característica cariotípica do "clado Paullinia" é a ocorrência de segmentos heterocromáticos nas regiões cromossômicas terminais. Este padrão de bandas mostra uma variação tanto no tipo quanto no tamanho dos blocos (blocos ricos em AT, GC ou neutros). Do genoma de U. chacoensis foi isolada e caracterizada sequências de DNA satélite, componente da heterocromatina terminal rica em AT. As técnicas de hibridização (FISH e Southern-Blotting) definem a sonda pUch6 como marcador específico do genoma de U. chacoensis, mas mediante PCR foram detectadas sequências de DNA satélite Uch725 em várias espécies de Cardiospermum, Paullinia e Urvillea, mapeadas nas regiões cromossômicas terminais. A variação qualitativa faz destas sequências ferramentas taxonômicas úteis, combinando marcadores moleculares e cromossômicos em estudos filogenéticos na tribo Paullinieae.Abstract: Various cytotaxonomic aspects were explored in Paullinieae tribe. New chromosome counts were reported for 29 species, and 44 South American species of Cardiospermum, Houssayanthus, Paullinia, Serjania, Thinouia and Urvillea were studied. Karyotypes in Thinouia have shown a great homogeneity, but in spite of their high similarities with Cupanieae, Paullinieae and Thouineae tribes, was not possible to define their taxonomic status in Sapindaceae using only chromosomal characteristics. Reduction at chromosomal number is a synapomorphic condition in Paullinieae. The basic numbers x = 14, 15 and 16 have a higher frequency in Sapindaceae, to the opposite of Paullinieae, x = 14 is a symplesiomorphic state only observed in Thinouia and Lophostigma. The basic number x = 12, common in Paullinieae, is present in Cardiospermum, Houssayanthus, Paullinia, Serjania and Urvillea. Houssayanthus and Serjania have a 2n = 24 particularly conserved. Reduction in chromosomal number is more marked in Cardiospermum and Urvillea. Infrageneric classification of Urvillea into two sections is enhanced by the presence of different basic numbers. This variation in the basic number also enabled characterization of some sections of Cardiopermum. Chromosome number reduction in Cardiospermum was confirmed with observations in C. heringeri (2n = 24) and C. integerrimum (2n = 14), where the dysploidy could be related to the transposition of ribosomal DNA genes. We describe events of polyploidy in three genera of "Paullinia clade", in Cardiospermum, Paullinia and Urvillea, highlighting the importance of this evolutionary process and its phytogeographic distribution. A highest karyotypic diversity of Paullinieae tribe was observed in Cardiospermum, basic chromosomic numbers varie from x = 12 to x = 7 (x = 8 is missing) with chromosomal sizes varying up to six times their length. Two main groups could be to defined based on the morphology of interphasic nucleus and behavior of chromosomes in prophase. Both groups were partialy associated with the infrageneric classification proposed for Cardiospermum. Karyotypic diversity in Cardiospermum is reflected in several adaptations in habits, phytogeographical distribution and morphological characters. Location and number of 18-5.8- 26 S and 5S rDNA sites in Paulliniaeae are variable and the non-synteny of these genes was the most frequent feature observed. Synteny of rDNA is a character that only differentiates the Carphospemum section whithin Cardiospermum. Both number and location of rDNA were specific markers to some taxa. There is no strictly linear relationship between number of loci and level of ploidy, as would be expected in recent autopolyploids, indicating events of hybridization and genomic reorganization in complex polyploids as a possibility Another karyotypic feature of the "Paullinia clade" is the occurrence of heterochromatic segments at terminal chromosomal regions. This banding pattern shows both kind of variation, of size and of diferent types of blocks (blocks rich in AT, GC or neutral). Satellite DNA sequences Atrich were isolated and characterized of U. chacoensis genome, parts of terminal heterochromatin. Hybridization techniques (FISH and Southern-Blot) defined pUch6 probe as specific marker of U. chacoensis genome, but Uch725 satellite DNA sequences were detected in several species of Cardiopermum, Paullinia and Urvillea by PCR, and mapped on chromosomal terminal regions. In summary, studies of molecular and chromosomal markers together, turn out from much utility to evidence qualitative variation of these sequences, and also like a taxonomic tool for phylogenetic studies in the Paullinieae tribe.DoutoradoDoutor em Biologia Vegeta