Comparative karyological analysis of some Turkish Cuscuta L. (Convolvulaceae)

This study investigated the somatic chromosome numbers and morphometric properties of 11 different taxa belonging to the genus Cuscuta L., which is one of the parasitic flowering plants and causes significant economic losses on agricultural products. For this purpose, the species were examined karyologically and compared statistically. Belonging to the genus Cuscuta, C. campestris Yunck., C. hyalina Roth, C. kotschyana Boiss., C. babylonica Aucher ex Choisy, C. europaea L., C. kurdica Engelm., C. brevistyla A.Braun ex A.Rich, C. planiflora Ten., C. approximata Bab., C. lupuliformis Krock. C. palaestina Boiss. the chromosome number and morphology of the species were investigated using karyological techniques. Chromosome numbers of the species; C. kotschyana, C. babylonica, C. europaea, C. kurdica, C.planiflora 2n=14; C. campestris, C. hyalina, C. approximata, C. lupuliformis, and C. palaestina 2n=28 and C. brevistyla 2n=42 is determined. Also, the species’ chromosome number, total chromosome length, relative length, arm ratio, centromere index and centromere states, and karyotype asymmetry values were determined. Chromosome numbers of C. kotschyana and C. kurdica taxa were defined for the first time in this study. Thus, new data on the systematics of these species have been revealed.