Patterns of heterochromatin distribution in six species of acanthaceae

Authors

  • Nowshin Anjum Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
  • Chandan Kumar Dash Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
  • Sabiha Sultana Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
  • Syeda Sharmeen Sultana Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Keywords:

Interphase nuclei, Prophase chromosomes, Fluorescence chromosome banding, Heterochromatin, Acanthaceae

Abstract

Six medicinally and economically important species of acanthaceae namely, Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson, Barleria cristata L., B. prionitis L., Ruellia simplex C. Wright, Thunbergia erecta (Benth.) T. Anderson and Thunbergia mysorensis (Wright) T. Anderson were cytogenetically investigated for authentic characterization based on heterochromatin condensation and chromosomal behavior. Asystasia gangetica and R. simplex exhibited ‘Diffuse type’ of interphase nuclei, characterized by evenly distributed heterochromatin, whereas B. cristata and B. prionitis showed ‘Complex chromocenter type’ with large, distinct heterochromatic blocks; in contrast, T. erecta and T. mysorensis displayed ‘Simple chromocenter type’ with numerous small heterochromatic spots. The prophase chromosomes of A. gangetica and R. simplex showed ‘Continuous type’, whereas the remaining species exhibited ‘Interstitial type’, reflecting the typical trend of heterochromatin condensation. The species belonging to the same genus showed similar heterochromatic condensation nature with orcein, CMA and DAPI-staining. The CMA and DAPI staining of metaphase chromosomes further revealed distinct species-specific banding patterns. The findings suggest close genetic relationships within the genera based on chromosomal behavior.

Bangladesh J. Bot. 55(3): 637-641, 2026 (September)

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Published

2026-09-30

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Short Communications

License

© Bangladesh Botanical Society

Authors are required to transfer the copyright of their articles to the journal. The Declaration form is available here http://www.bdbotsociety.org/journal/journal_pdf/declaration_form.pdf

How to Cite

Anjum, N. ., Dash, C. K. ., Sultana, S. ., & Sultana, S. S. . (2026). Patterns of heterochromatin distribution in six species of acanthaceae. Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 55(3), 637-641. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v55i3.93667