CromoCat: Chromosome Database of the Vascular Flora of the Catalan Countries-25 years

Abstract

CromoCat is a plant chromosome database that evolved from previous versions, as a repository of karyological information on the vascular flora of the Catalan Countries. CromoCat is designed as an independent database, managed by a team based at the University of Barcelona directed by J. Simon, available from its own webpage ( http://www.cromo.cat/ ) and from the Flora section of the Catalan Biodiversity Database - BDBC ( http://biodiver.bio.ub.es ). CromoCat contains at present (mid 2022) more than 68,000 records of karyological data belonging to more than 5000 taxa. A synthesis of the development of CromoCat, its functional system, achievements, limitations, and adopted solutions, during 25 years (1996-2021) and updated 2022, as well as the application to biodiversity conservation and management are outlined.

Keywords: Biodiversity management; Catalan Countries; Chromosomal database; Chromosome number; Infraspecific diversity; Plant conservation.