INTRA-AND INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION IN GENOME SIZE IN LATHYRUS (LEGUMINOSAE)

2C nuclear DNA amounts for 24-species of Lathyrus (section Lathyrus) w ere determined using flow cytometry. A greater than two-fold variation was observed, ranging from 10.2 pg in L. basalticus to 24.2 pg in L. latifolius. In general, the perennial species had greater DNA amounts than the annuals. Significant intraspecific variation was observed in five species of Lathyrus (from 10.1% in L. annuus to 28% in L. tingita nus). A positive correlation was observed between DNA values obtained by flow cytometry and those previously determined by microdensitometry . Finally,, the distribution of DNA amounts in species within section Lathyrus appears to be continuous. (C) 1997 The Linnean Society of Lon don.