FISH Mapping of Telomeric and Non-Telomeric (AG(3)T(3))(3) Reveal the Chromosome Numbers and Chromosome Rearrangements of 41 Woody Plants

Data for the chromosomal FISH mapping localization of (AG(3)T(3))(3) are compiled for 37 species belonging 27 families; for 24 species and 14 families, this is the first such report. The chromosome number and length ranged from 14–136 and 0.56–14.48 μm, respectively. A total of 23 woody plants presented chromosome length less than 3 μm, thus belonging to the small chromosome group. Telomeric signals were observed at each chromosome terminus in 38 plants (90.5%) and were absent at several chromosome termini in only four woody plants (9.5%). Non-telomeric signals were observed in the chromosomes of 23 plants (54.8%); in particular, abundant non-telomeric (AG(3)T(3))(3) was obviously observed in Chimonanthus campanulatus. Telomeric signals outside of the chromosome were observed in 11 woody plants (26.2%). Overall, ten (AG(3)T(3))(3) signal pattern types were determined, indicating the complex genome architecture of the 37 considered species. The variation in signal pattern was likely due to chromosome deletion, duplication, inversion, and translocation. In addition, large primary constriction was observed in some species, probably due to or leading to chromosome breakage and the formation of new chromosomes. The presented results will guide further research focused on determining the chromosome number and disclosing chromosome rearrangements of woody plants.