Somatic chromosome numbers of some African Sapotaceae

Somatic chromosome numbers of nineteen species of African Sapotaceae have been determined. Species of the genera Pachystela, Donella, Gambeya and Omphalocarpum have 2n = 28, those of Synsepalum (except for the polyploid species S. subcordatum, 2n = 112), Tridesmostemon, Autranella, Tieghemella have 2n = 26, whereas Baillonella toxisperma has 2n = 24 chromosomes. It is concluded that 2n = 28 presents the most primitive number, whereas 2n = 26 and 2n = 24, like the polyploid numbers, are secundary.