Pigments and genome size variation in Symphyandra hofmannii population

Abstract

The photosynthetic pigments, total anthocyanin content and genome size in six natural populations of endemic species Symphyandra hofmanniiPant. (Hoffman's ring bellflower) from Bosnia and Herzegovina were investigated in the present study. The intrapopulation and interpopulation analysis of Symphyandra hofmannii growing under different environmental conditions were achieved. The interpopulation analysis of individuals developed under different environmental conditions had shown statistically significant differences for all investigated parameters (chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a/b ratio, carotenoids, anthocyanins and DNA amount). Statistically significant differences between individuals from the same population and different habitats, in chlorophyll b, a/b ratio and anthocyanins content, were also apparent. Interpopulation pigments’ variation could not be related to light as only differential ecological parameter. This variation was depended on combined environmental conditions, such as geological substrate, altitude or anthropogenic factors. The genome size was significantly higher only for one serpentine population (Papratnica).