Refinement of the karyological aspects of Psidium guineense (Swartz, 1788): a comparison with Psidium guajava (Linnaeus, 1753)

Euploidy plays an important role in the evolution and diversification of Psidium Linnaeus, 1753. However, few data about the nuclear DNA content, chromosome characterization (morphometry and class) and molecular markers have been reported for this genus. In this context, the present study aims to shed light on the genome of Psidium guineense Swartz, 1788, comparing it with Psidium guajava Linnaeus, 1753. Using flow cytometry, the nuclear 2C value of P. guineense was 2C = 1.85 picograms (pg), and the karyotype showed 2n = 4x = 44 chromosomes. Thus, P. guineense has four chromosome sets, in accordance with the basic chromosome number of Psidium (x = 11). In addition, karyomorphometric analysis revealed morphologically identical chromosome groups in the karyotype of P. guineense. The high transferability of microsatellites (98.6%) further corroborates with phylogenetic relationship between P. guajava and P. guineense. Based on the data regarding nuclear genome size, karyotype morphometry and molecular markers of P. guineense and P. guajava (2C = 0.95 pg, 2n = 2x = 22 chromosomes), P. guineense is a tetraploid species. These data reveal the role of euploidy in the diversification of the genus Psidium.