title: rDNA mapping, heterochromatin characterization and AT/GC content of Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns (Agapanthaceae).
abstract: Agapanthus (Agapanthaceae) has 10 species described. However, most taxonomists differ respect to this number because the great phenotypic plasticity of the species. The cytogenetic has been an important tool to aid the plant taxon identification, and to date, all taxa of Agapanthus L'Héritier studied cytologically, presented 2n = 30. Although the species possess large chromosomes, the group is karyologically little explored. This work aimed to increase the cytogenetic knowledge of Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns by utilization of chromosome banding techniques with DAPI / CMA3 and Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH). In addition, flow cytometry was used for determination of DNA content and the percentage of AT / GC nitrogenous bases. Plants studied showed 2n = 30 chromosomes, ranging from 4.34 - 8.55 µm, with the karyotype formulae (KF) = 10m + 5sm. Through FISH, one 45S rDNA signal was observed proximally to centromere of the chromosome 7, while for 5S rDNA sites we observed one signal proximally to centromere of chromosome 9. The 2C DNA content estimated for the species was 2C = 24.4 with 59% of AT and 41% of GC. Our data allowed important upgrade for biology and cytotaxonomy of Agapanthus africanus (L.) Hoffmanns.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Aryane C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ana Luiza
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Victória R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Flávia R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zorzatto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Lyderson F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Viccini
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Genética e Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, s/n, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Saulo M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sousa
mesh_terms: D000070378:Amaryllidaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D001482:Base Composition; D002871:Chromosome Banding / Q000379:methods*; D018744:DNA, Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry*; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000737:chemistry*; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007621:Karyotyping
chemical_list: D018744:DNA, Plant; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D006570:Heterochromatin