Cytometric determination of genome size in Colchicum species (Liliales, Colchicaceae) of the western Mediterranean area

Genome size has been studied for the first time in the Colchicum genus. Values obtained by flow cytometry were quite stable and specific to each taxon: C. autumnale L., 2C=5.89±0.22 pg, equivalent to 5.7×10 9 bp (2 n=4 x=36); C. alpinum DC., 2C=8.06±0.24 pg, equivalent to 7.8×10 9 bp (2 n=6 x=56); C. lusitanum Brot., 2C=10.7±0.67 pg, equivalent to 10.3×10 9 bp (2 n= approx. 10 x=90–92 and 94–96); C. multiflorum Brot., 2C=16.5±0.69 pg, equivalent to 15.9×10 9 bp, (2 n= approx. 16 x=140–148); C. corsicum Baker, 2C=21.3±0.99 pg, equivalent to 20.6×10 9 bp (2 n=22 x= approx. 198±2). These values are well below those published for Liliaceae stricto sensu. In Colchicum species from the western Mediterranean area, genome size was highly correlated with ploidy level ( R 2=0.99, P