Article

Chromosome numbers and karyotypes were studied in eight populations of Crepis aurea from Alps, Dinaric Alps and Apennines. The populations from Alps and Apennines exhibit diploid chromosome number (2n = 10) while the populations from Central Dinaric Alps and one population from Julian Alps were tetraploid (2n = 4x = 20). For this reason, a detailed comparative analysis of the two cytotypes was undertaken. The hypothesis of auto-polyploidy seems to be the most plausible one. Additionally, it was interesting to deal with the taxonomic status of Crepis aurea var. bosniaca growing in Central Dinaric Alps and whose populations are tetraploid.