Cytogeography of the Polyploid Complex Bassia prostrata s. l. (Chenopodiaceae) Based on Genome Size Analysis and PCR-RFLP cpDNA

The cytogeography of the polyploid complex Bassia prostrata s. l. was studied by flow cytometry (FCM) on material from 39 populations in Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Russia. On the basis of the determination of the DNA content in the nuclei (2C-value), three cytotypes were identified: diploid (2n = 18), tetraploid (2n = 36), and hexaploid (2n = 54). Verification of the ploidy level determined by DNA content was carried out by parallel direct counting of the chromosome number. Most of the studied populations are represented by a single cytotype; in three populations, mixed ploidy is noted, when tetraploids or hexaploids are found along with diploids. The genetic isolation of chloroplast DNA of diploid and polyploid cytotypes was revealed. Presumable variants of the evolutionary relationship of cytotypes are shown on the basis of cpDNA restriction spectra.