Chromosome Numbers in Characeae from the South Pacific

Abstract

This study of a total of 18 collections represents the first sampling of chromosome numbers in the charophytes from New Caledonia, Fiji, and Samoa. Chromosome counts were obtained for the first time for material of Lamprothamnium (Chara) succinctum, and the count supports the transfer to the genus Lamprothamnium. Chromosome counts consistent with earlier reports are those of 14 for the dioecious taxa included in Chara corallina (Chara australis, Protochara australis, Chara fulgens) by Wood, and 18 for Nitella acuminata. Not in accord with some earlier reports are the counts of 18 for Nitella hyalina, 18 for Nitella pseudoflabellata (including N. mathuata), 18 for Nitella furcata, and 28 for Chara fibrosa. The presence of somatic pairing of chromosomes is noted in Chara fibrosa, and the extent and importance of polyploidy in the charophytes is recalled.