少花龙葵与黄果龙葵染色体核型分析

利用DAPI显带技术对少花龙葵和黄果龙葵染色体进行了核型分析。结果表明,少花龙葵染色体数目为24,为二倍体,核型公式为K(2n)=24=6sm+18m;黄果龙葵染色体数目为48,为四倍体,核型公式为K(4n)=48=48m,并进一步构建了这两个种的核型模式图。此外,还初步探讨了染色体的DAPI带型及其异染色质的分布。为中国龙葵的系统分类和进化趋向研究,以及育种和资源的开发利用提供帮助。     

黄瓜同源三倍体创制及减数分裂行为观察

采用常规杂交法研究黄瓜二、四倍体杂交过程中亲本育性、授粉组合及亲本基因型对杂交结实率的影响,并利用减数分裂制片法对获得的黄瓜同源三倍体进行了花粉母细胞减数分裂行为的观察.结果显示:(1)同源四倍体白交结实率比较低(13.0%～14.5%),可能与其花药内所包含的正常花粉粒比例小及花粉管萌发长度较短有关.(2)二、四倍体杂交组合的结实率很低(0.26%～0.02%),但在两种配组方式之间存在着明显差异,即以同源四倍体黄瓜为父本和二倍体黄瓜为母本的杂交结实率比较高,反之则杂交结实率比较低.(3)在二、四倍体杂交过程中,二、四倍体的基因型对杂交结实率的影响较大,以杂交双亲同属一个基因型的杂交效果较好.(4)同源三倍体花粉母细胞减数分裂过程与二倍体基本相同,但存在较高频率的染色体异常行为:中期I染色体构型复杂,在大多数花粉母细胞中可观察到单价体、二价体、三价体的存在;中期Ⅰ和Ⅱ有少数染色体游离于赤道板外;后期I和后期Ⅱ常出现落后染色体、染色体桥及细胞分裂不同步现象,其最终结果导致了不正常四分体和不可育配子的形成.(5)同源三倍体花粉粒的平均可染率和萌发率分别为18.8%和11.3%.研究结果表明,黄瓜二、四倍体正反交能直接获得同源三倍体材料;同源三倍体花粉母细胞减数分裂异常导致不育配子的形成是引起其育性低的细胞学原因;同源三倍体的部分育性为通过同源三倍体的回交来选育初级三体系奠定了基础.     

亚比棉基因组原位杂交及核型分析

亚比棉异源四倍体是山西农业大学棉花育种组于上个世纪80年代用A染色体组亚洲棉(Gossypium.arboreum)(迁西小黑籽)与G染色体组野生棉比克氏棉(G.bickii)杂交成异源二倍体后,又经过加倍而获得的.亚比棉异源四倍体不仅育性得到恢复、结铃正常,而且成功地将比克氏棉的优异性状--种子腺体延缓形成转育到亚比棉中.这为实现棉花综合利用和提高抗虫性创育了新的育种材料.在随后的多年中,山西农业大学棉花育种组对亚比棉异源四倍体进行了广泛的细胞形态学研究,对其核型做了分析.然而,仅依据形态学和普通的核型图像,还不能确定该异源四倍体棉种中比克氏棉G染色体(亚)组在核型中的表现.该文以比克氏棉gDNA为探针,亚比棉异源四倍体根尖体细胞染色体为靶细胞染色体,封阻材料为亚洲棉(迁西小黑籽),进行亚比棉基因组原位杂交(Genome in situ hybridization,GISH)及核型分析.从获得的图像中可以清晰地发现有52条染色体,其中有/无杂交信号的各一半,这直观地证实了人工复合亚比棉杂交种确为异源四倍体,而且是双二倍体.A亚组与G亚组染色体长度存在交替排列.亚比棉异源四倍体基于GISH图像的核型公式为2n=4x=52=46m(4sat)+6sm(4sat).A亚组和G亚组染色体上各有2对随体.G亚组染色体中至少有5对双重显色明显的染色体,意味着可能有A亚组染色体的交换,而A亚组染色体中只观察到或多或少的探针红色荧光信号,由于分辨率不够而难于定量分析.进一步以45SrDNA为探针,以鲑鱼精DNA作为封阻DNA,对亚比棉异源四倍体进行45SrDNA-FISH,实验表明,亚比棉异源四倍体有14个NOR(核仁组织区)信号,说明亚比棉异源四倍体有14个随体,即7对随体.比克氏棉对亚洲棉的GISH结果显示,在有亚洲棉DNA封阻的条件下,亚洲棉靶细胞染色体无任何杂交信号,说明比克氏棉与亚洲棉染色体之间不存在较大的同源或相似序列.     

六个不同类型荞麦花花粉粒形态的电镜观察比较研究

对二倍体甜荞长花柱类型 (ES2 s)、二倍体甜荞短花柱类型 (ES2 S)、四倍体甜荞长花柱类型 (ES4s)、四倍体甜荞短花柱类型 (ES4S)、四倍体有翅细野荞 (GR4HI)、四倍体无翅细野荞 (GR4HO)等 6个不同荞麦类型花的花粉形态学进行了电镜观察。结果表明 :这些荞麦类型的花粉粒都是椭圆形 ,都有网状纹饰、3孔沟等特征。二倍体甜荞染色体加倍后形成的四倍体甜荞 ,相对于二倍体甜荞而言 ,花粉粒显著增大和明显变圆。无论二倍体还是四倍体甜荞 ,其长花柱型花的花粉粒都比其对应短花柱型花的花粉粒要小。尽管四倍体甜荞和四倍体细野荞在染色体数目和倍性上一样 ,但是它们在花粉粒的大小上有显著差异。四倍体细野荞有翅类型和无翅类型的花粉粒大小和形态差异不显著     

玉米与四倍体多年生玉米代换种质的选育及其基因组原位杂交鉴定

通过对玉米与四倍体多年生玉米杂种F1采用遮光调节开花时期、喷施低浓度赤霉素等提高可杂交性措施 ,选育出一个含有四倍体多年生玉米遗传物质的、在形态特性与普通玉米相似的种质 ,并对供试材料的表型性状进行了调查 ,对玉米及其与四倍体多年生杂交后代材料的体细胞染色体进行多色基因组原位杂交 (Multi colorGenomeinsituHybridization ,McGISH)检测。结果表明 :玉米与四倍体多年生玉米种杂交后代F2 ×P1的许多表型性状已经回复到玉米的特征 ;F2 ×P1自交一代 (BC1F3 )染色体数目为 2 0 ,在原位杂交检测的植株中有 17条与玉米亲本显色相同 ,另外 3条染色体区别于玉米基因组 ,检出为红色荧光且形态上小于玉米染色体 ,表明其来源于四倍体多年生玉米染色体。可见 ,BC1F3 是玉米 四倍体多年生玉米异源代换种质。     

二倍体大白菜与四倍体结球甘蓝杂种的获得及其SSR鉴定与GISH分析

为创制结球甘蓝-大白菜异附加系、异代换系、易位系,利用二倍体大白菜（AA,2n=20）为母本与四倍体结球甘蓝（CCCC,2n=36）杂交,通过胚挽救获得了异源三倍体杂交种（ACC,2n=28）;利用SSR对杂交种进行鉴定,6株F1均能扩增出父本的特征带,表明这6株是真杂交种。异源三倍体基因组原位杂交结果表明,未加封阻时,大白菜与结球甘蓝染色体均有较强的杂交信号;当加入适当比例的封阻时,来自大白菜和结球甘蓝染色体上的杂交信号强弱有明显差别;封阻过度时,大白菜与结球甘蓝染色体的杂交信号都十分微弱。说明大白菜与结球甘蓝基因组具有较高的同源性。     

中国17种蔷薇属植物45S和5S的rDNA分布研究

为了探寻蔷薇属植物亲缘关系及系统发育研究的分子细胞遗传学证据,该研究采用双色FISH(荧光原位杂交)技术,对原产中国7个组的17种蔷薇属植物的45S和5S rDNA进行了定位分析。结果表明:(1)多数蔷薇属植物1组染色体对应1个45S rDNA位点和1个或2个5S rDNA位点,偶尔出现1~2个rDNA位点的丢失,但复伞房蔷薇(Rosa brunonii)的1组染色体对应了2个45S rDNA位点。(2)二倍体的蔷薇属植物至少有1对5S rDNA位点与45S rDNA位点共定位,而四倍体材料的5S rDNA位点与45S rDNA位点没有共定位,但所有四倍体材料均至少有1种rDNA信号纯合,表明它们应为二倍体直接加倍产生的同源四倍体。(3)绝大多数材料45S rDNA位于染色体短臂、5S rDNA位于染色体长臂,但缫丝花(R. roxburghii f. roxburghii)有1个5S rDNA信号位于染色体的短臂上,表明它与蔷薇属其他种的亲缘关系较远。(4)阿克苏地区和伊犁地区的疏花蔷薇的核型不同,且45S和5S rDNA的数量和位置不同,分子细胞遗传学证据也支持阿克苏地区的疏花蔷薇应为疏花蔷薇的新变种。(5)该研究中共有8个二倍体和6个四倍体蔷薇属植物的双色FISH为首次报道。研究认为,无论二倍体还是四倍体蔷薇属植物中出现的异形同源染色体、rDNA信号位置在同源染色体上的差异以及rDNA信号的增加和丢失,可能都与染色体结构变异和染色体重组有关,在分子细胞遗传学水平上证明染色体结构变异和染色体重组在蔷薇属植物演化过程中具有重要的作用。     

雌核发育二倍体鲫鲤杂交克隆品系建立

研究了雌核发育二倍体鲫鲤第2代(G₂)产生的二倍体卵子在无染色体加倍情况下形成第3代(G3)的雌核发育细胞学行为,G₃,G₂×散鳞镜鲤和G₂×四倍体鲫鲤的染色体数目.研究结果表明:(ⅰ)G₂产生的二倍体卵子无需染色体加倍处理,仅在灭活散鳞镜鲤精子激活下,形成了大量G₃.(ⅱ)G₃和雌核发育二倍体鲫鲤第1代(G₁)、G₂一样,也表现出杂交特征,并且都是二倍体(2n=100);G₂与二倍体散鳞镜鲤和四倍体鲫鲤分别交配形成了三倍体(3n=150)和四倍体(4n=200)鱼;(ⅲ)二倍体G₂产生的二倍体卵子在雌核发育过程中,有明显第二极体排出,排除了二倍体卵子源于第二极体保留的可能.另外,还对二倍体鲫鲤产生二倍体卵子的机制进行了讨论.雌核发育二倍体鲫鲤杂交克隆品系建立证明二倍体卵子通过雌核发育形式可形成一个能产生二倍体卵子的新型二倍体鲫鲤品系,二倍体鲫鲤产生二倍体卵子的特殊繁殖方式在生物进化和生产应用方面都具有重要意义.     

高温胁迫对二倍体和四倍体杂交兰相关生理生化特征的影响

以二倍体杂交兰及其加倍后形成的四倍体为材料,研究了高温胁迫(40℃/30℃,光周期为12h/d)处理对二倍体及其四倍体杂交兰幼苗叶片叶绿素含量、膜损伤程度、渗透调节物质含量以及保护酶活性等生理生化特性的影响,以明确其抗热性差异。结果显示:高温胁迫后,各材料叶绿素含量均随胁迫时间延长呈下降趋势,且四倍体杂交兰的下降幅度小于二倍体;两种倍性杂交兰叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量均增加,O2.-释放速率总体呈下降的趋势,但四倍体MDA含量增幅和O2.-释放速率始终低于二倍体;四倍体叶片脯氨酸、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白质含量的增幅均大于二倍体,其SOD、CAT活性的增幅也均显著大于二倍体,但其POD活性的降幅则小于二倍体。研究表明,四倍体杂交兰具有较强的细胞渗透调节能力、蛋白质合成能力、蛋白质稳定性以及消除活性氧伤害的能力,耐热性强于二倍体。     

不同倍性鱼的血细胞和精子DNA含量比较

我们以前的研究表明, 以红鲫 (2n=100) 为母本及湘江野鲤 (2n=100) 为父本的杂交后代的F1-F2 为二倍体 (2n= 100)。在二倍体 F2 个体中, 存在能分别产生二倍体卵子和二倍体精子的雌、雄个体, 二倍体卵子和二倍体精子结合, 形成了两性可育的四倍体鱼 (F3)。目前四倍体鲫鲤已连续繁殖了 12 代 (F3-F14), 形成了一个遗传性状稳定的四倍体鱼群体 (4n= 200) (Liu et al.,2001; 孙远东等, 2003)。雌性四倍体鲫鲤产生的二倍体卵子经紫外线照射的散鳞镜鲤精子激活后,无须染色体加倍处理, 可发育为全雌性二倍体雌核发育后代 (G1) (2n=10…     

Physical mapping of rRNA genes in Medicago sativa and M. glomerata by fluorescent in situ hybridization

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to diploid and tetraploid subspecies of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to investigate the distribution of rRNA genes and to utilize the sites of 18S-5.8S-25S rDNA and 5S rDNA sequences as markers for studying the genome evolution within the species. Medicago glomerata Balb., the species considered to be the ancestor of alfalfa, was included in this study in order to obtain more information on the phylogenetics of alfalfa. Simultaneous in situ hybridization was performed with the probes pTa71 and pXVI labeled with digoxigenin and biotin, respectively. In the diploid taxa, M. glomerata, M. sativa ssp. coerulea Schmalh and ssp. falcata Arcangeli, the 18S-5.8S-25S rDNA sequences were mapped to two sites corresponding to the secondary constrictions of the nucleolar chromosome pair, while 5S rDNA appeared to be distributed in two pairs of sites. Chromosomes carrying 5S loci could be distinguished on the basis of their morphological characteristics. The number of rDNA sites detected in the tetraploid M. sativa ssp. falcata and ssp. sativa (L.) L. & L. were twice the number found in the respective diploid ssp. falcata and ssp. coerulea. The results of this study show that the distribution of ribosomal genes was maintained during the evolutionary steps from the primitive diploid to the cultivated alfalfa. Modifications of the number of rRNA loci were not observed. The importance of in situ hybridization for improving karyotype analysis in M. sativa L. is discussed.     

Molecular-cytogenetic studies of ribosomal genes and heterochromatin reveal conserved genome organization among 11 Quercus species

Genomes of 11 Quercus species were characterized using cytogenetic (Giemsa C-banding, fluorochrome banding), molecular-cytogenetic (fluorescence in situ hybridization, FISH, to ribosomal genes) and molecular (dot-blot for ribosomal gene-copy number assessment) techniques. Ribosomal genes are the first DNA sequences to be physically mapped in oaks, and the copy number of the 18S-5.8S-26 S rRNA genes is estimated for the first time. Oak karyotypes were analysed on the basis of DAPI banding and FISH patterns; five marker chromosomes were found. In addition, chromosomal organization of ribosomal genes with respect to AT- and GC-differentiated heterochromatin was studied. Fluorochrome staining produced very similar CMA/DAPI banding patterns, and the position and number of ribosomal loci were identical for all the species studied. The 18S-5.8S-26 S rRNA genes in oak complements were represented by a major locus at the subterminal secondary constriction (SC) of the only subtelocentric chromosome pair and a minor locus at paracentromeric SC of one metacentric pair. The only 5 S rDNA locus was revealed at the paracentromeric region of the second largest metacentric pair. A striking karyotypic similarity, shown by both fluorochrome banding and FISH patterns, implies close genome relationships among oak species no matter their geographic origin (European or American) or their ecophysiology (deciduous or evergreens). Dot-blot analysis gave preliminary evidence for different copy numbers of 18S-5.8S-26 S rRNA genes in diploid genomes of Q. cerris, Q. ilex, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens and Q. robur (2700, 1300, 2200, 4000 and 2200 copies, respectively) that was correlated with the size polymorphism of the major locus. Received: 26 February 1999 / Accepted: 16 March 1999     

Homologous chromosomes characteristics by sequential banding procedures in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

The development of high resolution methods of chromosome banding helped the finding of homologous chromosomes, detecting chromosomal abnormalities, and assigning the gene loci to particular chromosomes in mammals. Unfortunately, small and numerous fish chromosomes do not show GC rich and GC poor compartments, this preventing the establishment of G banding pattern. The combination of techniques enabling the identification of constitutive heterochromatin (C-banding), heterochromatin resistant to restriction endonucleas, NOR bearing chromosomes (AgNO3 banding), or AT rich regions on chromosomes (DAPI banding) in sequential staining provides a better characteristic of fish chromosomes. In this work sequentially DAPI, DdeI, AgNO3 stained chromosomes of rainbow trout resulted in the characteristic banding pattern of some homologous chromosomes. Procedure of FISH with telomere probe and DAPI as a counterstaining fluorochrome visualized simultaneous hybridization signals and DAPI banding. Possibility of detection both FISH and DAPI signals can help in procedures of gene mapping on chromosomes.     

Chromosome banding and FISH with rDNA probe in the diploid and tetraploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

The chromosomes of the diploid and tetraploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus were analyzed by staining with Ag, chromomycin A₃ (CMA₃)/distamycin A (DA), and DA/4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 5.8S + 28S rDNA as a probe. Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were mapped to the telomeric region of the short arms of the largest (first) metacentric chromosome pair in the diploid loach with 2n = 50 and the homologous quartet in the tetraploid loach with 4n = 100. The NORs were positive at the same region of the first metacentric chromosome for Ag and CMA₃/DA stainings, but negative for DA/DAPI staining. Four signals at the homologs within the same quartet suggest the duplication of the entire genome from diploid to tetraploid status. However, a size difference was detected between the rDNA signals by FISH and CMA₃ banding.     

Molecular cytogenetics studies in Reichardia tingetana: Physical mapping of heterochromatin,telomere repeats,and 5S and 45S rDNA by 4′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Abstract Molecular cytogenetics studies of A‐T‐rich regions, telomeres, and 5S and 45S rDNA sites on the chromosomes of Reichardia tingetana Roth (2n= 16; diploid) were done using 4′, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The species were collected from three geographically isolated populations at Borg El Arab (salt marsh habitat), and Rashed and Shosha (sandy clay habitats) in Egypt. The three populations showed the chromosome number of all plants are diploid except for two tetraploid samples from Shosha. Plants from both Rashed and Shosha showed similarity in the distribution of six DAPI bands on six chromosomes, whereas those of Borg El Arab showed a distribution of 16 bands on 14 chromosomes. The FISH signals of the telomeres, and 5S and 45S rDNA, were at the telomeres of all chromosomes, two interstitial, and four terminal, respectively. The combination of DAPI and FISH showed colocalization of the DAPI bands with two 5S and two 45S rDNA loci. The increased number of DAPI bands in the cytotypes from the salt marsh habitat could indicate natural genetic adaptation through increasing the heterochromatin of A‐T‐rich regions.     

Discrimination of the closely related A and B genomes in AABB tetraploid species of Avena

Fluorescent in situ (FISH) and Southern hybridization procedures were used to investigate the chromosomal distribution and genomic organization of the satellite DNA sequence As120a (specific to the A-genome chromosomes of hexaploid oats) in two tetraploid species, Avena barbata and Avena vaviloviana. These species have AB genomes. In situ hybridization of pAs120a to tetraploid oat species revealed elements of this repeated family to be distributed over both arms of 14 of the 28 chromosomes of these species. Genomes A and B were subsequently distinguished, indicating an allopolyploid origin for A. barbata. This was confirmed by assigning the satellited chromosomes to individual genomes, using the satellite itself and two ribosomal probes in simultaneous and sequential in situ hybridization analyses. Differences between A. barbata and A. vaviloviana genomes were also revealed by both FISH and Southern techniques using pAs120a probes. Whereas two B-genome chromosome pairs were found to be involved in intergenomic translocations in A. vaviloviana, FISH detected no intergenomic rearrangements in A. barbata. When using pAs120a as a probe, Southern hybridization also revealed differences in the hybridization patterns of the two genomes. A 1300-bp EcoRV fragment was present in A. barbata but absent in A. vaviloviana. This fragment was also detected in Southern analyses of A-genome diploid and hexaploid oat species. Received: 27 November 2000 / Accepted: 28 February 2001     

Ribosomal RNA genes in soybean and common bean: chromosomal organization, expression, and evolution

Ribosomal RNA (5S and 45S) genes were investigated by FISH in two related legumes: soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and common bean (Phaseolis vulgaris L.). These species are both members of the same tribe (Phaseoleae), but common bean is diploid while soybean is a tetraploid which has undergone diploidization. In contrast to ploidy expectations, soybean had only one 5S and one 45S rDNA locus whereas common bean had more than two 5S rDNA loci and two 45S rDNA loci. Double hybridization experiments with differentially labelled probes indicated that the soybean 45S and 5S rDNA loci are located on different chromosomes and in their distal regions. Likewise, the common bean 45S and 5S rDNA loci were on unique chromosomes, though two of the 5S rDNA loci were on the same chromosome. FISH analysis of interphase nuclei revealed the spatial arrangement of rDNA loci and suggested expression patterns. In both species, we observed one or more 5S rDNA hybridization sites and two 45S rDNA hybridization sites associated with the nucleolar periphery. The 45S rDNA hybridization patterns frequently exhibited gene puffs as de-condensed chromatin strings within the nucleoli. The other condensed rDNA sites (both 5S and 45S) were spatially distant from the nucleolus in nucleoplasmic regions containing heterochromatin. The distribution of rDNA between the nucleoplasm and the nucleoli is consistent with differential gene expression between homologous alleles and among homoeologous loci.     

In situ hybridization identifies the diploid progenitor species of Coffea arabica (Rubiaceae)

 The most important commercial coffee species, Coffea arabica, which is cultivated in about 70% of the plantations world-wide, is the only tetraploid (2n=4x=44) species known in the genus. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to study the genome organization and evolution of this species. Labelled total genomic DNA from diploid species (C. eugenioides, C. congensis, C. canephora, C. liberica) closely related to C. arabica was separately used as a probe in combination with or without blocking DNA to the chromosome spreads of C. arabica. GISH discriminated between chromosomes of C. arabica only in the presence of an excess of unlabelled block DNA from the species not used as a probe. Among the range of different species combinations used, DNA from C. eugenioides strongly and preferentially labelled 22 chromosomes of the tetraploid C. arabica, while the remaining 22 chromosomes were labelled with C. congensis DNA. The similarity of observations between C. arabica and the two diploid species using two ribosomal genes with FISH with respect to metaphase chromosomes provided additional support to the GISH results. These results confirm the allopolyploid nature of C. arabica and show that C. congensis and C. eugenioides are the diploid progenitors of C. arabica. Received: 2 February 1998 / Accepted: 12 May 1998     

Ancestry of American polyploid Hordeum species with the I genome inferred from 5S and 18S-25S rDNA

* BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The genus Hordeum exists at three ploidy levels (2x, 4x and 6x) and presents excellent material for investigating the patterns of polyploid evolution in plants. Here the aim was to clarify the ancestry of American polyploid species with the I genome. * METHODS: Chromosomal locations of 5S and 18S-25S ribosomal RNA genes were determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In both polyploid and diploid species, variation in 18S-25S rDNA repeated sequences was analysed by the RFLP technique. * KEY RESULTS: Six American tetraploid species were divided into two types that differed in the number of rDNA sites and RFLP profiles. Four hexaploid species were similar in number and location of both types of rDNA sites, but the RFLP profiles of 18S-25S rDNA revealed one species, H. arizonicum, with a different ancestry. * CONCLUSIONS: Five American perennial tetraploid species appear to be alloploids having the genomes of an Asian diploid H. roshevitzii and an American diploid species. The North American annual tetraploid H. depressum is probably a segmental alloploid combining the two closely related genomes of American diploid species. A hexaploid species, H. arizonicum, involves a diploid species, H. pusillum, in its ancestry; both species share the annual growth habit and are distributed in North America. Polymorphisms of rDNA sites detected by FISH and RFLP analyses provide useful information to infer the phylogenetic relationships of I-genome Hordeum species because of their highly conserved nature during polyploid evolution.     

Genome re-assignment of Arachis trinitensis (Sect. Arachis, Leguminosae) and its implications for the genetic origin of cultivated peanut

The karyotype structure of Arachis trinitensis was studied by conventional Feulgen staining, CMA/DAPI banding and rDNA loci detection by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in order to establish its genome status and test the hypothesis that this species is a genome donor of cultivated peanut. Conventional staining revealed that the karyotype lacked the small "A chromosomes" characteristic of the A genome. In agreement with this, chromosomal banding showed that none of the chromosomes had the large centromeric bands expected for A chromosomes. FISH revealed one pair each of 5S and 45S rDNA loci, located in different medium-sized metacentric chromosomes. Collectively, these results suggest that A. trinitensis should be removed from the A genome and be considered as a B or non-A genome species. The pattern of heterochromatic bands and rDNA loci of A. trinitensis differ markedly from any of the complements of A. hypogaea, suggesting that the former species is unlikely to be one of the wild diploid progenitors of the latter.