In order to evaluate the genome evolution and systematics, karyotype analysis of mitotic metaphase chromosomes in 51 taxa of Epimedium and two species of Vancouveria was conducted. The 53 taxa were clustered, based on their karyotype similarity coefficients. Results showed that the 53 taxa studied were all diploid with 12 chromosomes (2n = 2x = 12). Each taxon had one pair of satellites located on pair I of homologous chromosomes. Moreover, the karyotype types of the 53 taxa studied were all type 1A or 2A of Stebbins. It can be concluded that the karyotypes between species are indeed very similar and the genome of Epimedium was conservative in evolution. The cluster analysis of karyotype similarity coefficients could provide valuable clues for the systematics and taxonomy of Epimedium. Results of the cluster analysis strongly supported the previous taxonomic division of E. subg. Rhizophyllum and E. subg. Epimedium. The results also showed that the interspecific relationship was closely correlated with geographical distribution in E. subg. Epimedium and the taxa native to east Asia had the highest genetic diversity in Epimedium. Finally, the origin of the modern geographical distribution of Epimedium was inferred. Results of the present study have significant scientific values in further studies on resource utilisation, taxonomy and phylogeny in Epimedium.

中文翻译：

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淫羊藿（小檗科）核型相似系数的聚类分析：系统学和进化的见解


为了评估基因组进化和系统学，对51个淫羊藿类群和两个温哥华属植物的有丝分裂中期染色体进行了核型分析。根据核型相似系数对 53 个类群进行聚类。结果显示，所研究的 53 个类群均为具有 12 条染色体的二倍体（2n = 2x = 12）。每个分类单元都有一对卫星，位于第一对同源染色体上。此外，所研究的53个类群的核型类型均为Stebbins 1A或2A型。由此可见，淫羊藿属物种之间的核型确实非常相似，并且其基因组在进化上是保守的。核型相似系数的聚类分析可为淫羊藿的系统学和分类学提供有价值的线索。聚类分析的结果有力地支持了之前E. subg的分类学划分。根藻属（Rhizophyllum）和 E. subg.淫羊藿。结果还表明，E. subg的种间关系与地理分布密切相关。淫羊藿及原产于东亚的类群中淫羊藿遗传多样性最高。最后推断了淫羊藿现代地理分布的起源。本研究结果对于进一步研究淫羊藿资源利用、分类学和系统发育具有重要的科学价值。