KARYOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN SOME SPECIES OF VICIA (FABACEAE) FROM IRAN

Mitotic chromosomes of 13 species from four sections (Cracca, Ervillia, Ervum and Variegata) of the genus Vicia subgenus Vicilla were studied. Chromosome numbers of two species: V. armena, (2n=10) and V. multijuga (2n=10) are reported for the first time. 2n=14 for V. ciceroidea is a new count for this species, the previous report was 2n=28. Karyological data are presented for all the studied species. The chromosomes of all species were mainly metacentric to submetacentric. Based on Stebbines karyotype classification, the studied Vicia species were placed in three classes: 2A, 3A and 1B. V. monantha had the most symmetrical karyotype and could be considered more primitive than other studied species. Five species namely V. armena, V. aucheri, V. akhmaganica, V. persica and V. variegata showed 2n= 10 chromosomes and also had similar karyotype characters.