Fluorescence in situ Hybridization Analysis of Oligonucleotide 5S Ribosomal DNA, 45S Ribosomal DNA, and (TTTAGGG)₃ Locations in Gloriosa superba L.

Twenty-two chromosomes were observed. Two 5S rDNA hybridization signals were detected in the proximal regions of the short arms of one pair of chromosomes, which were adjacent to the (TTTAGGG)3 terminal signals. Four 45S rDNA signals were detected near the centromere region of the short arm of the four chromosomes, but one of these was very weak and almost undetectable compared to the others. Telomeric repeat hybridization signals were distributed at the terminal region of each chromosome. The chromosomes displayed were intact, and the chromosome counts were accurate. Chromosome length ranged from 3.46 to 9.31 μm. These results will facilitate the cytogenetic mapping of other major repeats, thus contributing to an improved understanding of the G. superba genome structure and evolutionary history.