Variação genética no complexo poliploide Zygopetalum maculatum (Orchidaceae)

Abstract

The orchids of the "Zygopetalum maculatum" (Kunth) Garay complex are typical of the “campos rupestres” of the east side of Brazil. Currently, six species are recognized for this group which, due to their morphological similarity, is recognized here as a species complex. In order to understand the phenotypic pattern observed among the populations and contribute to clarify the formation of this complex, this study characterized 22 populations of “Z. maculatum”, being 21 populations from Brazil and one population from Bolivia. The study included DNA amount estimation, determination of the chromosome number, meiotic behavior and genetic diversity estimation. The average of DNA content revealed three 2C values, 7.36 pg, 10.52 pg and 14.09 pg of DNA, which were associated to 2n = 48; 2n = 72 and 2n = 96 chromosomes, respectively. The variation was observed within and among populations. Karyotypic data (morphometry, 5S and 45S rDNA) showed similarity among all ploidy levels. Meiosis behavior was not regular being observed chromosome delay and loss, bridges, micronuclei, chromosomal stickiness and asynchrony. The dendrogram based on ISSR revealed similarity regarding the ploidy level and the geographical distribution of the individuals. The data also suggested low genetic diversity within populations being most of the diversity observed among populations. In general, the results indicate that polyploidization events are probably related to the Zygopetalum diversification and speciation, being an important process to explain the morphological variations observed within the complex.