Abstract
Despite the global accumulation of genome size data, Siberia remains one of the most underrepresented regions in plant flow cytometry databases, creating a substantial geographic bias in comparative genomic research. To address this gap, we developed "Genome Altai, Plants" (https://genome.asu.ru/), the first public database of plant genome sizes in Russia, focused on the flora of Southern Siberia and adjacent territories. Genome size was estimated by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining using internal standardization; herbarium specimens, silicagel-dried tissue, and fresh material from the living collection of the South-Siberian Botanical Garden were analysed. Each record is linked to a digitized voucher specimen in the ALTB Digital Herbarium, and for every measurement the internal standard and its assigned 2C value are specified, allowing recalculation between the classical Doležel and rice-based calibration systems. The database currently contains over 3,100 records covering 106 genera from 41 families. In this study, genome sizes are reported for 107 species from herbarium material and 124 species from the living collection, with 2C values ranging from 0.473 pg (Turritis glabra) to 156.48 pg (Galanthus lagodechianus). Because desiccation may distort DNA estimates by 15–20%, values obtained from dried material are flagged as provisional. The database supports ploidy interpretation, cytotype discovery, and biogeographic research, and will be regularly updated with new records and expanded taxonomic coverage.
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