Abstract
Hibiscus exhibits high variation in chromosome number both within and among species. The Hibiscus mutabilis L. karyotype was analyzed in detail using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with oligonucleotide probes for (AG3T3)3 and 5S rDNA, which were tested here for the first time. In total, 90 chromosomes were counted in prometaphase and metaphase, and all exhibited similarly intense (AG3T3)3 signals at both ends. (AG3T3)3 showed little variation and thus did not allow discrimination among H. mutabilis chromosomes, but its location at both ends confirmed the integrity of each chromosome, thus contributing to accurate counting of the numerous, small chromosomes. Oligo-5S rDNA marked the proximal/distal regions of six chromosomes: weak signals on chromosomes 7 and 8, slightly stronger signals on chromosomes 15 and 16, and very strong signals on chromosomes 17 and 18. Therefore, 5S rDNA could assist in chromosome identification in H. mutabilis. Metaphase chromosome lengths ranged from 3.00 to 1.18 μm, indicating small chromosomes. The ratios of longest to shortest chromosome length in prometaphase and metaphase were 2.58 and 2.54, respectively, indicating karyotype asymmetry in H. mutabilis. These results provide an exact chromosome number and a physical map, which will be useful for genome assembly and contribute to molecular cytogenetics in the genus Hibiscus.
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