Genome size estimation of Cotoneaster species ( Rosaceae ) from the Western Carpathians

Various taxonomic concepts of the classification of Cotoneaster species from the area of the Western Carpathians were proposed throughout the years, based on several methodological approaches. In this paper we try to find out, whether it is possible to distinguish these species based on the absolute genome size data. The absolute genome size of 143 Cotoneaster individuals (32 C. integerrimus , 94 C. melanocarpus agg. and 17 C. tomentosus ) was estimated by flow cytometry. Samples were collected from 45 localities within the area of the Western Carpathians. Flow cytometry revealed a significant difference in genome size between pentaploid C. tomentosus (3.15 ± 0.06 pg) and both tetraploid species C. integerrimus (2.37 ± 0.08 pg) and C. melanocarpus agg. (2.36 ± 0.06 pg). Statistically not significant difference in genome size was recorded between C. integerrimus and C. melanocarpus agg.