RECENT REPORTS ON CHROMOSOME COUNT IN SOME NIGERIAN SPECIES OF ASTERACEAE

Abstract

Chromosome numbers are reported for some species of four genera of the tribe Cichorieae, some species in the genus Vernonia (Vernonieae) and the genus Aspilia  (Heliantheae) collected from different parts of Nigeria.  Fluctuations in current and previous counts were observed and presumed to be associated with chromosomal mechanism such as polyploidy and anuploid decrease, leading to evolution of species in the family Asteraceae.  Species with first report of chromosome numbers are indicated.