Polyploidy and aneuploidy in Ophrys, Orchis, and Anacamptis (Orchidaceae)

Studies on chromosome numbers and karyotypes in Orchid taxa from Apulia (Italy) revealed triploid complements in Ophrys tenthredinifera and Orchis italica. In O. tenthredinifera there is no significant difference between the diploid and the triploid karyotypes. The tetraploid cytotype of Anacamptis pyramidalis forms 36 bivalents during metaphase I in embryo sac mother cells. Aneuploidy was noticed in Ophrys bertolonii × O. tarentina with chromosome numbers n = 19 and 2n = 38. There were diploid (2n = 2x = 36), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 72), hexaploid (2n = 6x = 108) and octoploid (2n = 8x = 144) cells in the ovary wall of the diploid hybrid Ophrys apulica × O. bombyliflora. Evolutionary trends in Ophrys and Orchis chromosomes are discussed.