A proposal for a multivariate quantitative approach to infer karyological relationships among taxa

Abstract. Until now, basic karyological parameters have been used in different ways by researchers to infer karyological relationships among organisms. In the present study, we propose a standardized approach to this aim, integrating six different, not redundant, parameters in a multivariate PCoA analysis. These parameters are chromosome number, basic chromosome number, total haploid chromosome length, M(CA) (Mean Centromeric Asymmetry), CV(CL) (Coefficient of Variation of Chromosome Length) and CV(CI) (Coefficient of Variation of Centromeric Index). The method is exemplified with the application to several plant taxa, and its significance and limits are discussed in the light of current phylogenetic knowledge of these groups.