Chromosome numbers in Bromeliaceae

The present study reports chromosome numbers of 17 species of Bromeliaceae, belonging to the genera Encholirium, Bromelia, Orthophytum, Hohenbergia, B illbergia, Neoglaziovia, Aechmea, Cryptanthus and Ananas. Most species pres ent 2n = 50, how ever, Bromelia laciniosa, Orthophytum burle-marxii and O. maracasense are polyploids with 2n = 150, 2n = 100 and 2n = 150, respective ly, while for Cryptanthus bahianus, 2n = 34 + 1-4B. B chromosomes were obse rved in Bromelia plumieri and Hohenbergia aff. utriculosa. The chromosome n umber of all species was determined for the first time, except for Billberg ia chlorosticta and Cryptanthus bahianus. Our data supports the hypothesis of a basic number of x = 25 for the Bromeliaceae family and decreasing aneu ploidy in the genus Cryptanthus.