Karyological observations on plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands

Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported from 35 vascular plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands that are poorly known cytogenetically. The chromosome numbers of Chaenorhinum rodriguezii (2n = 14), Coristospermum huteri (2n = 22), Carduus ibicensis (2n = 26), Filago petro-ianii (2n = 26), Ononis crispa ssp. zschackei (2n = 30), and Ophrys bertolonii ssp. balearica (2n = 36) were determined for the first time. New chromosome numbers are reported in Pimpinella bicknellii (2n = 22), Calamintha rouyana (2n = 46), Vicia bifoliolata (2n = 14), and Teucrium asiaticum (2n = 30). A new diploid cytotype (2n = 16) was found in Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi, which is restricted to populations from the western Balearics (Eivissa and Formentera), whereas tetraploid plants are known from the eastern Balearics (Mallorca). It is suggested that the tetraploid cytotype arose from the diploid cytotype through autopolyploidy. The idiograms of Coristospermum huteri, Pastinaca lucida, Pimpinella bicknellii, Carduus ibicensis, Helianthemum scopulicolum, Helichrysum crassifolium, Vicia bifoliolata, Paeonia cambessedesii, Helleborus lividus, Ranunculus paludosus ssp. barceloi, and Linaria aeruginea ssp. pruinosa are determined for the first time. (c) 2007 The Linnean Society of London.