Karyornorphology of some Quercus L. species from section Quercus and Cerris in Turkey

Detailed karyotypic investigation of five species (Q. hartwissiana Steven., Q. frainetto Ten., Q. macranthera subsp. syspirensis (C. Koch.) Menitsky, Q. virgiliana Ten., and Q. trojana Webb) belonging to the genus Quercus was carried out in order to contribute to the taxonomic relationships of the genus. The somatic chromosome number was found to be 2n = 24 in all taxa examined. Q. hartwissiana, Q. frainetto and Q. macranthera subsp. syspirensis showed similar karyotypes, consisting of 22 metacentric and 2 submetacentric chromosomes. The karyotype of Q. virgiliana included all metacentric chromosomes and finally Q. trojana showed the highest variation according to karyotypic description (14 m + 10 sm), haploid complement and other morphometric parameters. The study results showed similarity with previous reports in Turkey, different to European oaks.