Karyological and Chromosome Analysis of Quercus libani in Iran

This study attempts to analyze the karyotype and chromosome structure in five populations of Quercus libani growing in Northern Zagros. Pre-treatment, fixation, hydrolysis and staining were conducted using root meristem and then microscopic samples were prepared and studied. The results showed that in all studied cells of each population, the basic chromosome number was x=12 and all of them were diploid. Karyotype analysis of each population was conducted separately and several indices (TL: Total Length, LA: Long Arm, SA: Short Arm, CI: Centromer Index, AR: Arm Ratio, R- value, DRL%: Difference of Relative Length and TF%: Total Form) were determined. Karyotype formula was 12m in all studied populations. The length of chromosomes in all populations was estimated as 0.64-2.08 micrometers. The longest chromosome was observed in chromosome number 1 from population 1 and the shortest one was related to the chromosome number 12 from population 5. Considering of chromosomal classification, all the studied populations were placed in class B of Stebbins which showed that there is an average symmetry in the studied karyotypes. The other estimated indices also showed that in chromosomes are relatively symmetric in all populations that indicates this species is primitive and undeveloped