Karyomorphological analyses and chromatin characterization by banding techniques in Euphorbia characias L and E. wulfenii Hoppe (= E. veneta Willd.) (Euphorbiaceae)

Karyomorphological analysis of Euphorbia characias L. using Giemsa and fluorescent banding techniques revealed a characteristic C-banding pattern. Intraspecific variation in C-banding pattern was observed within of chromosomal complements of some populations of this species. Using fluorochrome Chromomycin A3 (CMA), E. characias exhibit trait patterns of CMA+ bands in intercalary and telomeric regions. Many bands correspond to Giemsa C-band. After the double staining with chromomycin A3/DAPI numerous chromosomes have showed a distribution of rich pattern in basic G-C (CMA+/DAPI-). The present studies indicate that to determine this characteristic C-banding pattern has intervened a deep restructuring of the karyotype. The karyotypes of E. characias and E. wulfenii were largely indistinguishable with very similar karyomorphologies and banding patterns, and these data suggest that both entities might be geographical biotypes.