Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This species exhibits considerable amount of intraspecific chromosomal diversity involving hybridization, polyploidy, aneuploidy and B chromosomes. Karyotype analyses of three mountain populations from Serbia were done for the first time. All samples were tetraploid (based number x=8) with 2n=32. In population from mountain Tara presence of one B chromosomes was detected. Tetraploid karyotype consists of 17 median-centromeric (m), 8 submedian-centromeric (sm), 7 subterminal-centromeric (st) chromosomes and one terminal-centromeric (t) B chromosome (2n= 17m+8sm+7st+1B). Studied populations in Serbia belong to the most common cytotype for this species in Europe.Kaljužnica, Caltha palustris, naseljava vlažne, umerene i hladne predele severne hemisfere. Ovu vrstu karakteriše znatna količina intraspecijske hromozomske varijabilnosti uključujući hibridizaciju, poliploidiju, aneuploidiju i B hromozome. Po prvi put je urađena kariotipska analiza tri planinske populacije iz Srbije. Svi analizirani uzorci su bili tetraploidi (osnovni broj n=8) sa 2n=32. U populaciji sa planine Tare detektovano je prisustvo jednog B hromozoma. Tetraploidni kariotip se sastojao od 17 metacentričnih (m), 8 submetacentričnih (sm), 7 subtelocentričnih (st) i jednog telocentričnog (t) B hromozoma (2n=17m+8sm+7st+1B). Analizirane populacije iz Srbije pripadaju citotipu koji je najčešći za ovu vrstu u Evropi.Projekat ministarstva br. 17300

Adnađević, Tanja

Blagojević, Jelena

Budinski, Ivana

Jovanović, Vladimir

Vujošević, Mladen

English

 Digital Repository of Archived Publications - Institute for Biological Research Sinisa Stankovic (RADaR)

  ___________________________  
Corresponding author: Jelena Blagojević, Department of Genetic Research, Institute for 
Biological Research ”Siniša Stanković“, University of Belgrade, Blvd despota Stefana 142,  
11060 Belgrade, Serbia. phone +381 11 2078 331; fax. +381 11 2764 422; e-mail: 
jelena.blagojevic@ibiss.bg.ac.rs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UDC 575 
             DOI: 10.2298/GENSR1303793B            
                            Original scientific paper 
 
 
 
 
CHROMOSOME STATUS OF MARSH MARIGOLD, Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae) 
FROM SERBIA 
 
Jelena BLAGOJEVIĆ*, Vladimir JOVANOVIĆ, Tanja ADNAĐEVIĆ, Ivana 
BUDINSKI and Mladen VUJOŠEVIĆ 
 
University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research ”Siniša Stanković“, Department of 
Genetic Research, Belgrade, Serbia 
 
Blagojević J., V. Jovanović, T. Andađević, I. Budinski, and M. Vujošević 
(2013): Chromosome status of marsh marigold, Caltha palustris L. 
(Ranunculaceae) from Serbia. Genetika, Vol 45, No. 3, 793-798 
Marsh marigold, Caltha palustris is distributed in the moist, temperate 
and cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere. This species exhibits considerable 
amount of intraspecific chromosomal diversity involving hybridization, 
polyploidy, aneuploidy and B chromosomes. Karyotype analyses of three 
mountain populations from Serbia were done for the first time. All samples were 
tetraploid (based number x=8) with 2n=32. In population from mountain Tara 
presence of one B chromosomes was detected. Tetraploid karyotype consists of 
17 median-centromeric (m), 8 submedian-centromeric (sm), 7 subterminal-
centromeric (st) chromosomes and one terminal-centromeric (t) B chromosome 
(2n= 17m+8sm+7st+1B). Studied populations in Serbia belong to the most 
common cytotype for this species in Europe. 
Key words: Caltha palustris, polyploidy, B chromosomes 
 
INTRODUCTION 
According to revision of SMIT (1973), the genus Caltha L. (Ranunculaceae) is 
composed of ten species. Plants of this genus are low-growing, perennial herbs characterized by 
simple leaves and actinomorphic flowers. They show general affinity for wet habitats, occupying 
marshes, fens and other wetlands at lower altitudes. At higher altitudes, they are commonly 
associated with melt water. Plants of the genus Caltha are distributed in the moist temperate and 
cold regions of both Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Southern Hemisphere 
distribution of the genus is rather restricted, supposedly due to the deficiency of suitable habitats 
(HOFFMANN, 1999). SCHUETTPELZ and HOOT (2004), based on chloroplast and nuclear DNA 
794                                                                                                             GENETIKA, Vol. 45, No.3,793-798, 2013 
sequences, proposed that genus Caltha most probably originated in the Northern Hemisphere 
followed by dispersal to the Southern Hemisphere (Gondwanaland). 
Marsh-marigold, Caltha palustris, as the most widespread species of the genus and the 
only representative of the genus in Europe, established itself in wet habitats across much of 
Europe, Asia, and North America. Immense morphological variation featuring this species 
prompted recognition of many distinct taxa. However, it is proved that majority of this 
morphological diversity is a product of environmental conditions. Thus, many of the previously 
recognized segregates are not well supported (SMIT, 1973; WOODELL and KOOTIN-SANWU, 1971).  
Caltha palustris is a highly successful species. It exhibits considerable amount of both 
intraspecific morphological and chromosomal diversity including polyploidy, aneuploidy and 
hybridization. New chromosome combinations frequently arise in this species and in 
combination with its obligate out breeding, and its efficient vegetative reproduction, enable 
quick response to habitat changes. According to present data, distribution of the cytotypes is not 
strictly geographically defined. Cytotype or race with 2n=32 is the most widespread, ranging 
throughout the Arctic in North America to Europe with exception of Britain. The 2n=56 race is 
also frequent in Europe, from Russia to Britain and Iceland, but it is quite rare in North America 
(SUDA and ARGUS, 1969). In many plant genera climatic changes and migrations that followed 
Pleistocene glaciations have favoured allopolyploidy. In Europe, the pressures resulting from the 
predominantly east west orientation of the mountain ranges produced a series of high stress 
periods, interchanging with periods when the withdrawal of the ice left large areas suitable for 
rapid colonisation by species like Caltha palustris. Therefore, presence of that greatest diversity, 
either of stable chromosome races or of aneuploidy, is unexpected in European populations. 
Furthermore, SMIT (1973) has discovered existence of slight ecological differences between the 
2n = 32 and 2n = 56 races.  
Additionally, presence of B chromosomes, found for the first time by REESE (1954), 
also characterises this species. Chromosomal data for this species in Serbia are missing, so the 
aim of this paper is to fill this gap. 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Samples were collected at three mountains in Serbia: Tara Mt (locality Kaluđerske bare, 
970m), Povlen Mt. (locality Debelo brdo, 1070m) and Kopaonik Mt (locality Nebeske Stolice, 
1800 m). Actively growing roots, about 1-1.5 cm in length, were excised, pre-treated with 0, 2% 
colchicine for 4-5 h at room temperature, washed in distilled water and fixed in Carnoy’s fixative 
at 4°C for at least 24 h. The fixative was prepared by mixing three parts (in volume) of methanol 
and one part of glacial acetic acid. Further, the root tips were hydrolysed in 1N HCl for 12 min at 
60°C and stained in 2% lacto-propionic orcein overnight. Each of the root tips was carefully 
transferred on a drop of 45% acetic acid on a slide, covered by cover slip, heated and squashed. 
Metaphase plates were examined with a light microscope Zeiss Axioscop, under oil immersion 
(x100), and photographed. From each population at least ten metaphase plates were examined. 
Chromosome measurements including long arm, short arm, chromosome lengths, arm ratio index 
and relative chromosome length were made with Micro measure 3.3 software (REEVES, 2001). 
Chromosomes were sorted in descending order of length and morphology designated according 
to LEVAN et al. (1964).  
J. BLAGOJEVIC et al: CHROMOSOME STATUS OF  Caltha palustris                                               795 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
Polyploidization has been suggested as a major driving force of plant evolution (BLANC 
and WOLFE, 2004; CHEN, 2007; SOLTIS and SOLTIS, 2009). Cold and severe climate and nutrient 
stress in high altitude or latitude areas can induce or stimulate diploid gamete production (LEVIN, 
2002). A high temperature environment has the potential to increase gamete ploidy level also 
(PÉCRIX et al., 2011). This could lead to higher polyploidity level in plants inhabiting extreme 
environments. Polyploids should possess increased genome flexibility, allowing them to adapt in 
disturbed or novel niches and persist across heterogeneous landscapes (OTTO and WHITTON, 
2000). In the genus Caltha 88 cytotypes (82.60%) show polyploidy.  
All populations we studied were tetrapolyploid with 2n=32 which is the most frequent 
chromosome number in this species (TAMURA, 1995). Additionally, in population from Tara Mt. 
presence of one B chromosome was detected (Fig. 1). B chromosome represented 1, 03% of the 
tetraploid genome and was nearly half size of the smallest chromosomes in the karyotype. The 
32 chromosomes were quite well arranged in 8 groups of four homologues (Fig. 2), except one 
chromosome in the group 7, where heteromorphy was present. The karyotype consisted of 17 
median-centromeric (m), 8 submedian-centromeric (sm) and 7 subterminal-centromeric (st) 
chromosomes and one terminal-centromeric (t) B chromosome (2n= 17m+8sm+7st+1B).  
 
 
 
 
. 
 
Fig. 1. Metaphase chromosomes of C.palustris (arrow designate B chromosome)  
796                                                                                                             GENETIKA, Vol. 45, No.3,793-798, 2013 
The chromosomal counts in the genus range from 2n = 16 - 88 with common base 
number x = 8. KUMAR and SINGHAL (2008) summarized data from different regions of the world:  
Russia (16, 28, 32, 56, 60, 64), Slovakia (32), Czech Republic (32–34, 44, 47, 55–57, 56–59, 
56+6B, 57, 61, 64), Great Britain (32, 32+3B, 42–45, 52, 54, 55, 56, 56–63, 56+6B, 57, 58, 60, 
64, 32-56, 56-64), Italy (32, 48, 56, 60), Netherlands (32, 44, 56), Hungary (32), Poland (32), 
Finland (32), Sweden (60), Arctic-Alpine Scandinavia (56), Belarus (32, 56), north-western 
Alaska (32, 56–70, 60), western North America (32, 56, 58), northern and Arctic Canada (32, 48, 
56, 58, 60), Japan (32, 60, 68, 88), Korea (32) and Nepal (48). In India, (SHARMA et al. 1993) 
polyoidy in C. palustris appears as 2n = 32, 40, 42-45, 56-63. Dominant cytotype in British Isles 
was with 56 chromosomes but 64 cytotype and different aneuploid variants were also present 
(KOOTIN-SANWU and WOODELL, 1970). In China eight of twelve examined populations contained 
tetraploid, one hexaploid and three octaploid plants (YANG, 2002). Furthermore, the same author 
did not find aneuploids and plants with B chromosomes and showed variation in chromosome 
morphology of tetraploids. Attempts to correlate such great chromosome variability with 
environmental variables did not produce much success. But CHRTKOVÁ and JAROLÍMOVÁ (1999) 
divided populations of Caltha palustris from the Czech Republic into four subspecies (cornuta, 
laeta, palustris and procumbens). Only in subsp. laeta cytotype with 2n = 32 (34) is found in 
lowland while cytotype with 2n = 56 (57, 58, 59, 61, 64) is found in mountains. Subspecies 
palustris, with 2n = 32 (34, 35 and 36) chromosomes, do not follow this kind of distribution. 
Division of species into subspecies explain better distribution of this great variability. 
 
 
 
 
Fig. 2. Karyotype of Caltha palustris from Mt. Tara arranged in 8 groups according to chromosome 
length and morphology 
 
 
As for presence of B chromosomes, they are most frequently present in plants with 56 
chromosomes, and less frequently in plants with 32 chromosomes. In former cytotype the 
maximal number of Bs is 6 (KOOTIN-SANWU and WOODELL, 1970), while in later cytotype it is 4 
(MALIK and MARY, 1970). Furthermore, the great numerical chromosome variation found in C. 
palustris from India, comprising 2n = 16, 28, 32, 35, 38, 40, 42, 44, 48, 50, 52, 54-58, 60, 64, 68, 
72 and 88, could partially originate from the presence of different number of B chromosomes 
(KUMAR and SINGHAL, 2008; GUPTA et al., 2009). Data on morphology and size of B 
chromosomes in marsh marigold are largely missing. 
J. BLAGOJEVIC et al: CHROMOSOME STATUS OF  Caltha palustris                                               797 
In all three studied populations karyotypes were stable with 32 chromosomes arranged 
in the way that points out to the autopoliploid origin. Small B chromosome was found only in 
population from Tara Mt. The extreme environmental conditions increase chromosomal 
variability, so the level of ploidy decreases from north to south Europe, which could explain 
stable ploidy found in Serbia.  
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
Support provided by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of 
Serbia (Grant 173003). 
                                                                           Received September 14th, 2013 
                                                      Accepted December 06th, 2013 
 
 
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HROMOZOMSKI STATUS KALJUŽNICE, Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae) 
 IZ SRBIJE 
 
Jelena BLAGOJEVIĆ*, Vladimir JOVANOVIĆ, Tanja ADNAĐEVIĆ, Ivana 
BUDINSKI i Mladen VUJOŠEVIĆ 
 
Univerzitet u Beogradu, Institut za biološka istraživanja “Siniša Stanković”, Odelјenje za 
genetička istraživanja, Beograd, Srbija 
 
 
Izvod 
Kalјužnica, Caltha palustris, naselјava vlažne, umerene i hladne predele severne 
hemisfere. Ovu vrstu karakteriše znatna količina intraspecijske hromozomske varijabilnosti 
uklјučujući hibridizaciju, poliploidiju, aneuploidiju i B hromozome. Po prvi put je urađena 
kariotipska analiza tri planinske populacije iz Srbije. Svi analizirani uzorci su bili tetraploidi 
(osnovni broj n=8) sa 2n=32. U populaciji sa planine Tare detektovano je prisustvo jednog B 
hromozoma. Tetraploidni kariotip se sastojao od 17 metacentričnih (m), 8 submetacentričnih 
(sm), 7 subtelocentričnih (st) i jednog telocentričnog (t) B hromozoma (2n=17m+8sm+7st+1B). 
Analizirane populacije iz Srbije pripadaju citotipu koji je najčešći za ovu vrstu u Evropi. 
             Primljeno 14. IX 2013.  
                                                                                                                                                           Odobreno 06. XII. 2013.  


Chromosome status of marsh marigold, Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae) from Serbia

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Chromosome status of marsh marigold, Caltha palustris L. (Ranunculaceae) from Serbia

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