Karyotypes of the most primitive catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformas: Diplomystidae)

Karyotypes of Diplomystes composensis and Diplomystes nahuelbutaensis were the same diploid number (n= 56).The chromosome formula for D. composensis was 16 metacentric + 24 submetacentric + 8 subtelocentric + 8 telocentric chromosomes and for D. nahuelbutaensis was 14 metacentric + 26 submetacentric + 8 subtelocentric +8 telocentric chromosomes. In contrast, the differences in the chromosomal C-banding patterns between these species was large. For instance, chromosome pairs 5,6, and 7 of D. nahuelbutaensis showed heterochromatic centromeres and pairs 23, 24, 27, and 28 were entirely heterochromotic. Diplomystes composensis showed conspicuous C-banded blocks in pairs 7, 24, and 25 (chromosome pair 7 had one heterochromatic arm, chromosome pair 24 was entirely heterochromatic, and chromosome pair 25 had heterochromatin close to centromere). Comparison with other ostariophysan karyotypes (e.g. gymnotiforms, characiforms, and cypriniforms), does not allow any conclusions about the ploesiomorphic catfish condition, because the karyotypes of the outgroups are too variable. A synapomorphy shared by characiforms, gymnotiforms, and diplomystid catfishes is the presence of more metacentric to submetacentric than substelocentric to telocentric chromosomes. Cypriniforms are more primitive because they have more subtelocentric to telocentric than metacentric to submetacentric chromosomes.     

Comparison of the Giemsa C-banded and N-banded karyotypes of twoElymus species,E. dentatus andE. glaucescens (Poaceae: Triticeae)

The karyotypes ofElymus dentatus from Kashmir andE. glaucescens from Tierra del Fuego, both carrying genomesS andH, were investigated by C- and N-banding. Both taxa had 2n = 4x = 28. The karyotype ofE. dentatus was symmetrical with large chromosomes. It had 18 metacentric, four submetacentric and six satellited chromosomes. The karyotype ofE. glaucescens resembled that ofE. dentatus, but a satellited chromosome pair was replaced by a morphologically similar, non-satellited pair. The C-banding patterns of both species had from one to five conspicuous and a few inconspicuous bands per chromosome. N-banding differentiated the chromosomes of the constituent genomes by producing bands in theH genome only. TheS genomes of both species were similar with five metacentric and two satellited chromosomes having most conspicuous C-bands at telomeric and distal positions. They resembled theS genome of the genusPseudoroegneria. TheH genomes had four similar metacentric and two submetacentric chromosomes. The seventhH genome chromosome ofE. dentatus was satellited, that ofE. glaucescens nonsatellited, but otherwise morphologically similar. The C-bands were distributed at no preferential positions. TheH genome ofE. dentatus resembles theH genomes of some diploidHordeum taxa.     

Chromosome phylogeny of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zamia</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ceratozamia</Emphasis> by means of Robertsonian changes detected by fluorescence <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> hybridization (FISH) technique of rDNA

 Appearance and location of 45S rDNA and 5S rDNA signals were compared in chromosomes of nine species of the aneuploid Zamia and their taxonomically and phylogenetically closely related Ceratozamia mexicana. The 45S rDNA signal was detected in the proximal region of six chromosomes in Zamia angustifolia, Z. integrifolia, Z. pumila and Z. pygmaea (all 2n=16); in the proximal region of 6–14 chromosomes in Z. furfuracea, Z. loddigesii, Z. skinneri and Z. vazquezii (all 2n=18); and on the proximal region of 20 chromosomes in Z. muricata (2n=23). The 5S rDNA signals were commonly seen near the terminal region of the short arm of two metacentric chromosomes in the four species with 2n=16 and Z. furfuracea, Z. loddigesii and Z. vazquezii with 2n=18. Other 5S rDNA signals were seen near the terminal region of two terminal-centromeric chromosomes in Z. skinneri and near the terminal region of a metacentric and a telocentric chromosomes in Z. muricata. In contrast, those with 45S and 5S rDNA signals were exhibited in chromosomes of Ceratozamia mexicana in a different manner from those in the nine species of Zamia; the 45S rDNA signal in the terminal region of four metacentric and two submetacentric chromosomes and the 5S rDNA signal near the proximal region of two metacentric chromosomes. Received November 1, 1999 Accepted January 10, 2001     

Variation of Giemsa C-band and fluorochrome banded karyotypes,and relationships inAllium subgen.Molium

The somatic karyotypes of 10 taxa belonging toAllium subgen.Molium (Liliaceae) from the Mediterranean area have been investigated using Giemsa C-band and fluorochrome (Hoechst, Quinacrine) banding techniques. A wide range of banding patterns has been revealed. InAllium moly (2n = 14),A. oreophilum (2n = 16) andA. paradoxum (2n = 16) C-banding is restricted to a region on each side of the nucleolar organisers and the satellites show reduced fluorescence with fluorochromes. The satellites are also C-banded and with reduced fluorescence inA. triquetrum (2n = 18), but two other chromosome pairs also have telomeric bands which are not distinguished by fluorochrome treatment. InA. erdelii (2n = 16) 4 pairs of metacentric chromosomes have telomeric C-bands while 2 pairs of telocentric chromosomes have centromeric C-banding. InA. subhirsutum (2n = 14),A. neapolitanum (2n = 28),A. trifoliatum subsp.hirsutum (2n = 14) andA. trifoliatum subsp.trifoliatum (2n = 21) chromosomes with long centromeres, consisting of a centromere and nucleolar organiser are positively C-banded on each side of the constriction. InA. subhirsutum banding is confined to the pair of chromosomes with this feature, whereas inA. neapolitanum one additional chromosome pair has telomeric bands and inA. trifoliatum there are varying numbers of chromosomes with centromeric and telomeric bands, depending on the subspecies.A. zebdanense (2n = 18) shows no C-bands. The banding patterns in this subgenus are compared with those recorded for otherAllium species and with the sectional divisions in the genus. Evidence from the banding patterns for allopolyploidy inA. trifoliatum subsp.trifoliatum andA. neapolitanum is discussed.     

Zamia grijalvensis sp. nov. (Zamiaceae,Cycadales) from Chiapas,Mexico with notes on hybridization and karyology

Zamia grijalvensis, a new cycad species from Chiapas, México, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to Z. lacandona with respect to leaves, but differs in habit, morphology and colour of the female and male cones. The female cone of Z. grijalvensis is reddish brown to orange brown, whereas that of Z. lacandona is dark brown with lighter beige tomentum. The male cone of Z. grijalvensis is erect, whereas that of Z. lacandona is decumbent. The new species may be of natural hybrid origin and is discussed in the light of other findings among cycads. Preliminary diploid chromosome counts for Z. grijalvensis 2n = 19, 20 and karyotypes appear variable, as previously found in its congeners with wide distribution, such as Z. paucijuga and Z. prasina, both of which are characterised by high diploid numbers with a high number of telocentric and few metacentric chromosomes. These changes in chromosome number are probably the result of stressful environmental factors.     

Taxonomic studies ofAsarum sensu lato

The karyotype and the C-banding pattern in two species ofHexastylis andAsarum epigynum were analysed in detail, and the results obtained were compared with those of the other species ofAsarum, Asiasarum andHeterotropa previously reported. The present results were partially different from the previous reports related to the karyotypes of these species. The karyotype observed in two species ofHexastylis (2n=26) was represented by ten pairs of metacentric chromosomes and three pairs of small subtelocentric chromosomes, which is very similar to that ofAsiasarum in eastern Asia. The C-banding patterns ofHexastylis andAsiasarum, however, were clearly different from each other. A striking difference was found in one of the three pairs of small subtelocentric chromosomes. A Formosan speciesAsarum epigynum had the somatic chromosome number 2n=12 and a highly asymmetrical karyotype composed of mainly subtelocentric chromosomes. These karyological features were remarkably different from those of the other groups inAsarum s.l.     

Variable karyotype with B-chromosomes in Bellevalia saviczii (Liliaceae)

Bellevalia saviczii (Liliaceae), a hexaploid (2n = 6x = 24), was collected from mountain slopes in the Shiraz valley, southern Iran. The basic karyotype consists of one long metacentric chromosome, a slightly shorter acrocentric, and two shorter submetacentrics. In 32% of the plants, one and sometimes two of the acrocentrics (IIa) appeared with a pericentric inversion that changed it into a metacentric (IIm). This metacentric IIm was present in a Hardy--Weinberg ratio throughout the collection range of more than 300 km. A number of aneuploids were found, pentasomics [2n – 1 = 23 (4.9%)], heptasomics [2n + 1 = 25 (2.5%)], and one octasomic [2n + 2 = 26 (0.3%)]. Re-assorted karyotypes with 2n = 24, but with odd numbers of two of the chromosomes, were also present (6.6%). B-chromosomes were found in root meristems and in pedicels in a number (19.1%) of the plants that grew around a 30 km marsh. Their numbers ranged from 1B to 8Bs per plant peaking in the 2B mode. The B-chromosomes (two polymorphs with terminal and near-terminal sticking points) were telocentric with a few metacentric iso-Bs. No B-carrying plants were found in the drier regions away from the marsh. The B-frequency distribution for aneuploids and pericentric inversions was much different than for the standard euploid. Dr Mark Gettner died on November 2nd, 2002. He is fondly remembered by his family, his many students and friends for his kindness and generosity, and for his dedication to his scientific work. Dr Broun is the son-in-law of Dr Gettner and he will be the corresponding author for this article (pb22@york.ac.uk).     

The karyotype ofFestucopsis serpentini (Poaceae Triticeae) from Albania studied by banding techniques and in situ hybridization

The karyotypes of two populations ofFestucopsis serpentini (2n = 2x = 14) endemic to Albania were investigated in detail by Giemsa C- and N-banding, AgNO₃ staining, and in situ hybridization with an rDNA probe. The complements consisted of 14 large chromosomes, 10 metacentric and 4 SAT-chromosomes, a metacentric and a submetacentric pair. SAT-chromosomes from one population carried exclusively minute satellites, whereas SAT-chromosomes from another population also carried larger polymorphic satellites, suggesting a geographical differentiation. The existence of four chromosomes with nucleolus forming activity was established through AgNO₃ staining; however, the rDNA probe additionally hybridized to intercalary positions in the short arms of two metacentric chromosomes revealing two inactive rDNA sites. C-banding patterns comprised from zero and up to four very small to larger, generally telomeric bands per chromosome giving low levels of constitutive heterochromatin. Similarities in chromosome morphology and C-banding patterns identified the homologous relationships of all chromosomes in one population, but of three pairs only in the other. Reliable identification of homologous chromosomes between plants was only possible for the SAT-chromosomes. A comparison between the C-banded karyotypes ofF. serpentini andPeridictyon sanctum supports their position in two genera.     

Karyotaxonomical analysis in the genusAngelica (Umbelliferae)

Morphometric karyotype characters were studied in 25Angelica spp. (Umbelliferae, Apioideae) and in one species of the related genusTommasinia. For three species the chromosome numbers are new. In our study the majority of the species investigated are diploids with 2n = 22, some are tetraploids with 2n = 44 (for these tetraploids also diploid cytotypes are reported in the literature). Among the diploid species,A. miqueliana has a distinct karyotype consisting of submetacentric and acrocentric chromosomes only, the remaining diploids with 2n = 22 as well as tetraploids with 2n = 44 have rather symmetrical karyotypes, consisting of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes. The very different chromosome number 2n = 28 has been found inA. gmelinii. Its karyotype includes two distinct groups of chromosomes: 8 pairs of rather large metacentrics and submetacentrics and 6 pairs of very short and asymmetrical chromosomes. Chromosome numbers and structures appear to be useful in the taxonomy of some intrageneric taxa inAngelica.     

Cytogenetic study of Artemia from Urmiah, Maharloo and Incheborun Lakes

Three populations of Artemia from Urmiah (West-Azarbaijan Province), Maharloo (Fars Province) and Incheborun (Golestan Province) Lakes in Iran were cytogenetically analyzed. In order to study the reproduction mode in Artemia populations, cyst samples reared for three successive generations (F₁--F₃). The results obtained from rearing until maturation indicated that, there are two subpopulations of Artemia in Urmiah lake (bisexual and parthenogenetic). These two subpopulations have the same diploid chromosome number (2 n =42). The results obtained from rearing and cytogenetic analysis of Artemia from Maharloo and Incheborun Lakes showed that these two populations are parthenogenetic and their chromosome number is also 2 n=42. So far, no cytogenetic differences in ploidy level have been detected among the populations investigated in this study. Very small chromosomes with metacentric, submetacentric and telocentric morphology were observed in mitotic prometaphase cells, implying that chromosomes of Artemia may be monocentric.     

A new pollen type,C-banded and fluorochrome counterstained chromosomes,and evolution inGuatteria and related genera (Annonaceae)

Guatteria, Guatteriopsis, Guatteriella andHeteropetalum share the same conspicuous pollen type which is new for theSpermatophyta. It is zonoaperturate with a folded aperture region and an extremely reduced exine. First chromosome counts and karyotype analyses forGuatteriopsis (4 species investigated) andGuatteriella (1 species) are identical with those ofGuatteria (19 species seen): 2n = 28. The genome is characterized by diploidization and partly telocentric chromosomes. Sequentially Giemsa C- and fluorochrome banded chromosomes and interphase nuclei are described. The cuticular folding pattern is distinct forHeteropetalum only. Growth forms and ecology are reported for many species. The evolutionary pattern of theGuatteria group is discussed and compared with other genera and families.     

Giemsa C-banded karyotypes of some diploidArtemisia species

Detailed C-banded karyotypes of eight diploidArtemisia species from three different sections are reported together with preliminary observations on three additional related diploid species. In the majority, the overall amount of banding is relatively low. Bands are mostly confined to distal chromosome regions; intercalary banding is virtually absent and centromeric heterochromatin is also scarce. With the exception ofA. judaica there is in general great uniformity in karyotype structure but considerable interspecific variation in total karyotype length (and hence DNA content) ranging from 44 µm inA. capillaris (2n = 18) to 99 µm inA. atrata (2n = 18).A. judaica (2n = 16; total karyotype length 97 µm) was distinguished by its karyomorphology, with one large non-banded metacentric chromosome pair and 7 pairs of smaller terminally banded meta- or submetacentric chromosomes.     

The cytology of oxalis dispar (brown)

Summary The chromosome complement ofOxalis dispar 2n = 12 consists of a pair of submedian (SM) chromosomes, three subterminal (ST) and seven telocentric (TE) chromosomes. At mitosis and meiosis the TE chromosomes are as efficient and stable as the other chromosomes of the complement. Chromosome breakage at the centromere in the metacentric chromosomes may give rise to new TE chromosomes. It is suggested that all the TE chromosomes may have arisen from metacentric chromosomes in this way. They may have been favoured because of the deleterious nature of the discarded chromosome arms.     

The founder effect theory: quantitative variation and mdg-1 mobile element polymorphism in experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster

The chromosomes of 14 specimens of the genus Reithrodon from three different localities of Argentina and two localities of Uruguay were studied using G-and C-banding techniques. Specimens of Uruguay showed a karyotype of 2n=28 chromosomes having a large metacentric X, and a telocentric Y chromosome. This karyotype is very similar to that recently described in a sample from southern Brazil, differing only in the nature of the Y chromosome, which is metacentric in the Brazilian form. All specimens from Argentina showed a 2n=34 karyotype, differing from the Brazilian karyotype by two centric fusions, an acquisition of chromosome material, and at least one pericentric inversion, and by the telocentric nature of both the X and the Y chromosomes. G-and C-banding suggest that the metacentric gonosomes in the Brazilian form resulted from a double autosomal-X-Y Robertsonian translocation. The Uruguayan cytotype is interpreted as derived from a hypothetical neo-X/Y₁Y₂ ancestral form by the secondary loss of the Y₁ chromosome. The karyotypic differences between the Brazilian-Uruguayan and the Argentinian forms afford evidence of species differentiation. It is proposed to assign the former to Reithrodon typicus, and the later to R. auritus.     

Karyological studies onGentiana sect.Chondrophyllae (Gentianaceae) from China

Nineteen populations of fifteen species ofGentiana sect.Chondrophyllae from China were observed cytologically.Gentiana alsinoides, G. anisostemon, G. asterocalyx, G. exigua, G. heterostemon, G. intricata, G. praticola, G. pseudoaquatica, G. spathulifolia, andG. subintricata all had the same chromosome number of 2n = 20 (or n = 10), whereasG. piasezkii had 2n = 36,G. squarrosa 2n = 38,G. prattii 2n = 18,G. aristata 2n = 14 (n = 7), andG. heleonastes 2n = 12. All these chromosome numbers are documented here for the first time, except forG. squarrosa, where it is a new number report. The basic numbers of x = 6, x = 7 and x = 19 are new for the section. Karyotype analyses of some species revealed that, except for a few cases, the species examined mainly had metacentric chromosomes. 2n = 20 = 2m(SAT) + 18m was found to be the main type of karyotype for the species with 2n = 20. Chromosomal evolution and its mechanism in this section are also discussed.     

Karyotype and Chromosomal Location of 18S–28S and 5S Ribosomal DNA in the Scallops Pecten maximus and Mimachlamys varia (Bivalvia: Pectinidae)

This work describes the karyotype and chromosomal location of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of Pecten maximus and Mimachlamys varia, two commercial scallop species from Europe. According to the chromosome centromeric index values found, the karyotype of P. maximus is composed of 1 metacentric, 2 metacentric–submetacentric, 1 telocentric–subtelocentric and 15 telocentric pairs, and that of M. varia of 4 metacentric, 2 subtelocentric–submetacentric, 9 subtelocentric, 3 subtelocentric–telocentric and 1 telocentric–subtelocentric pairs. In P. maximus, 18S-28S rDNA was located by FISH on a metacentric–submetacentric pair, and in M. varia on a subtelocentric–submetacentric pair using both silver staining and FISH. PCR amplification of the 5S rDNA unit yielded a single product of about 460 bp (P. maximus) and 450 bp (M. varia), that used as probe revealed a 5S rDNA site on a telocentric pair in P. maximus and a subtelocentric pair in M. varia. Two-color FISH or sequential silver staining of 5S rDNA-FISH-metaphases corroborated that the two gene families are located on different chromosomes in both species. A comparative analysis of the data allowed the inference of karyotypic relationships within scallops.     

KARYOTYPES OF FIVE SUBANTARCTIC BIVALVE SPECIES

Chromosomes of five subantarctic species were studied from mitoticmetaphases using cell suspension techniques. Among the Protobranchia,Malletiagigan-lea has a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 38with five metacentric, seven submetacentric, five sub-telocentricand one telocentric pairs, and Yoldia (Aequiyoldia) woodwardialso shows 2n = 38 but with ten metacentric, six submetacentricand three sub-telocentric pairs. Among the Lamellibranchia,the pterioidan Limatula pygmaea has 2n = 38 with six metacentric,eleven submetacentric and two sub-telocentric pairs, the veneroidanCyclocardia astar-toides has 2n = 30 with five metacentric andten telocentric pairs and the anomalodesmatan Laternula ellipticahas 2n = 40 with two metacentric, one submetacentric, two subtelocentricand fifteen telocentric pairs. Our results indicate that in all the Nuculoidea studied so far,a diploid number of 2n = 38 has been found. In addition, thekaryotypes show a close overall appearance in relative lengthswith a majority of meta-centric-submetacentric chromosomes.The species differ in the proportion of the different morphologicaltypes of chromosomes. In the Lamellibranchia, each species correspondsto a particular case within their respective orders (Pterioida,Veneroida, Anomalodesmata). (Received 22 January 1990; accepted 28 March 1990)     

Speciation via hybrid dysgenesis: negative evidence from the Drosophila affinis subgroup

Differences in karyotypic structure are compared with reported isozyme differences in three Mediterranean species of Patella. In addition, the karyotypic structure of Patella is discussed in terms of the karyotypic variability of Archaeogastropoda. Both P. lusitanica and P. caerulea have a haploid complement of n=9 (6 metacentric, 1 submetacentric, 1 subtelocentric, 1 telocentric chromosome in P. lusitanica and 6 metacentric, 1 submetacentric, 2 telocentric chromosome in P. caerulea). P. aspera, although regarded as morphologically more closely related to P. caerulea, has a haploid complement of only n=8 (7 metacentric and 1 submetacentric chromosomes).     

A note on chromosomes of two species of tree shrews (Tupaiidae)

Karyological studies of five tree shrews showed a diploid number 2n=60 forTupaia glis and 2n=66 forTupaia minor. The Y chromosome ofTupaia glis was found to be a medium-sized submetacentric chromosome in contrast to earlier data in the literature. The karyotype of a femaleTupaia minor showed five pairs of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes and 28 pairs of acrocentric chromosomes.     

Karyotypes and Giemsa C-banding patterns of Zebrina pendula, Z. purpusii and Setcreasea purpurea, compared with those of Tradescantia ohiensis.

It has been proposed that the genera Zebrina and Setcreasea of the family Commelinaceae should be united and reunited, respectively, with the genus Tradescantia, mainly based on morphological studies. In the present study, karyotypes and Giemsa C-banding patterns in the root-tip cells of three Zebrina and two Setcreasea clones were analyzed, and were compared with those of a triploid Tradescantia clone. Z. pendula and Z. purpusii (both 2n = 24) were found to have similar karyotypes (4 M + 6 ST + 14 T; M = meta-, ST = subtelo-, T = telocentric chromosomes), while Z. pendula cv Quadricolor (2n = 23) had a unique karyotype (6 M + 5 ST + 11 T + 1 SA; SA = short acrocentric chromosome). The only clear difference between Z. pendula and Z. purpusii was that one and two subtelocentric chromosomes, respectively, had satellites at the short arms. Two clones of S. purpurea (2n = 24) had karyotypes (8 M + 8 M' + 8 SM; M' = nearly meta-, SM = submetacentric chromosomes) similar to each other. T. ohiensis (2n = 18) had a symmetric karyotype (9 M + 9 SM) consisting of larger chromosomes than S. purpurea. Many clear Giemsa C-bands were detected, in addition to centromeric bands in all chromosomes of all clones. Z. pendula and Z. purpusii commonly had single clear interstitial bands in eight telocentric chromosomes each, but they also had unique telomeric and other interstitial bands, respectively. Z. pendula cv Quadricolor had a unique banding pattern, i.e., satellite bands in the unique short chromosome, telomeric bands at the long arms of all metacentric chromosomes, and single interstitial bands in six telocentric chromosomes. Two clones of S. purpurea had telomeric bands at many chromosome arms and satellite bands in two nearly metacentric and one submetacentric chromosomes, but some differences were found between them. On the other hand, all the chromosomes of T. ohiensis had telomeric bands at both arms, and three submetacentric chromosomes had satellite bands. These result prove structural differentiation of chromosomes occurred among the clones, especially in Zebrina, and show that S. purpurea is relatively close to T. ohiensis, while Zebrina is obviously distant from the other two genera. Therefore, there remains a question cytologically at least for uniting Zebrina with Tradescantia.