Page 6 - Geraci_Schicchi_1991

182 Geraci & Raimondo: Cytogeographical invesl igalion of Scilla QlIllImnali.L.

QU(lImnolis in the Mediterranean scnsu strictu, Ihis could be cxplained by absence of impor.
tant fac lors lO impose a definite geographical d ireclion on thc evalution ofpolyploids.

In the central-soulh European arca diploids became more and more rare unti! disap-
pearing as il i5 shown in Northern Italy. France and England whcrc thc nonhcrn di stri bu-
tion limit is found.

In conclusion, Sicily where both diploid and polyploid chromosomc mces occur logcln-
er, may be considercd as an arca w here thc cond itions for the ancestor's diploid cytotype
prescrval ion stili exisl and al tne same lime as a potentia l centre for fut ure sympalric evo.-

lulian in the Meditemmcan starti ng from the presenl polyploid complex .

Acknowledgmenls

Thi s study has bcen done within a rescarch projeçt fun dcd by MIUR (ContribUllon ex 60%) which
is gratcfully acknowledged.

References

Battaglia. E. 1952: Filogenesi del cariotipo nel genere Scilla. Il. II carioti po diploide di Scilla al/111m·
1I(11i.f L. - Ani Soc. Toscana di Scienze Natu rali. Mc:m. L1X serie Il: 130- 145.
1957: Scilla ulIfunmalis L.: biotipi ln. 4n. 6n e loro d istribuzione geografica. - Caryologia
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1963: Una mutazione con B-cromosomi. 20 - 14 +3B. in Scilla allfl/mnalis L. (Lifiaceae ). -
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Favargcr. C. 1984: Cytogcography and Biosystematics. In: Grani W.F.: PianI Biosyslematics. -
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Spetll, F. 1979: Karyological invcsligations in Sdl/CI in rcgard to thcir imponancc for tllxonomy. -
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Krcta. - Linzl"T. biol. Beile. 32(2): 1323- 1326.

Stcbbins, G L. 1971: Chromosomal Evolution in Higher PlanlS. - Edward Amold, London.

Addresses of Ihe au thors:
Don. Anna Geraci. l'rof. Rosario Schicchi, Dipan imento di Scienze Botaniche
dell'Univers ità degli Studi di Palermo, viII Archirafi 28 - 1-90123 Pa lcmlO.