Karyology of a marine population of Gyratrix hermaphroditus (Turbellaria,Rhabdocoela) and chromosomal evolution in this species complex

Karyology and reproductive biology of a marine population of the species complex Gyratrix hermaphroditus, from Roscoff (Brittany, France), have been investigated. A diploid complement of six chromosomes was determined from spermatogonial mitotic figures. One chromosome pair is metacentric, the second is intermediate between meta- and submetacentric, and the third is subtelocentric.In this population, regular meiosis occurs in both female and male germ lines, and the animals reproduce only by means of amphimictic eggs. Certain specimens of the population showed the elimination of one of the three bivalents during the first meiotic division in spermatogenesis. It seems that such animals produce normal and aneuploid sperm simultaneously; the aneuploid sperm are not capable of fertilization.The Roscoff population differs in its karyotype (2n = 6) from freshwater populations, which are either diploid (2n = 4) or polyploid (3n = 6, 4n = 8). These results suggest that aneuploidy played a role in the differentiation of freshwater populations from an originally marine species complex.     

Chromosome elimination and sex determination in springtails (Insecta, Collembola).

A post-zygotic mechanism of sex determination is described in the two symphypleonans Dicyrtomina ornata (Nicolet) and Ptenothrix italica Dallai. The process consists of the loss of two sex chromosomes from the male embryo. At the end of the first meiotic division of spermatogenesis, a second chromosome elimination occurs, allowing half the secondary spermatocytes, later transformed into spermatids, to receive a complete haploid set of chromosomes. The secondary spermatocytes, which receive an incomplete set of chromosomes, degenerate. Males of the two collembolan species, therefore, produce a reduced number (50%) of spermatozoa. Females of D. ornata have 2n = 12 and males 2n = 10 chromosomes; females of P. italica have 2n = 14 and males 2n = 12 chromosomes. In both species, oogenesis proceeds normally and chromosomes pair and form chiasmata in meiotic prophase. The adaptive significance of this post-zygotic mechanism of sex determination is discussed. The mechanism seems to be a characteristic feature of the suborder Symphypleona. The neanurid Arthropleona Anurida maritima (Guérin), which was studied for comparative analysis, has 2n = 8 chromosomes and normal spermatogenesis producing haploid nuclei with four chromosomes. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 285:215-225, 1999.     

Karyotypes of eight species of Euphorbia L. (Euphorbiaceae) from China

In this paper, eight species of the genus Euphorbia L. were cytologically studied. The three species of the subgenus Chamaesyce Raf., E. hirta, E. humifusa and E. hypericifolia, had chromosome numbers of 2n = 18, 22 and 32, with their basic chromosome numbers being x = 9, 11 and 8 respectively. The two species of the subgenus Poinsettia (Grah.) House. E. dentata, with 2n=28, a tetraploid, and E. cyathophora, with 2n= 56, a octoploid, had both the basic chromosome number of x= 7. The three species of the subgenus Esula Pers, E. lathyris, E. helioscopia and E. hylonoma, had chromosome number of 2n= 20, 42 and 20, with their basic numbers being x= 10, 7 and 10 respectively. The basic chromosome number of x = 8 is new for E. hypericifolia, in which x = 7 was previously reported. This indicates that this species had both ploidy(2n = 4x = 28, 8x = 56) and dysploidy(x = 7, 8) variations. In E. dentata, there occurred also ploidy variation (2n = 2x, 4x and 8x). A tetraploid cytotype of E. esula was found in China, its diploid cytotype and hexaploid cytotype being previously reported in North America, the Iberian Peninsula and some other European areas. Based on our results and those previously reported, we support the viewpoint that x＝10 may be the original basic chromosome number of Euphorbiaand discuss the role of polyploidy and dysploidy in the speciation and evolution of this genus     

Karyotypes of Rana tagoi Okada with diploid number 28 in the Chausu Mountains of the Minamishinshu district of Nagano Prefecture, Japan (Anura: Ranidae)

Karyotypes of Tago's brown frog Rana tagoi from the Chausu mountains in Minamishinshu of Nagano Prefecture were examined by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding and late replication (LR)-banding. Chromosome number was 2n = 28 in all cases. The 28 chromosomes consisted of four pairs (1-4) of large biarmed chromosomes, two pairs (5-6) of telocentric chromosomes and eight pairs (7-14) of small biarmed chromosomes. Chromosome pair 11 had a secondary constriction on the long arm. In females, the C-band on the long arm of chromosome pair 6 was detected in both homologs, but was absent from the arms of the homologs of chromosome pairs 5 and 9. In males, C-bands were found in the long arms of both homologs of chromosome pairs 5 and 6, were present only in one homolog of chromosome pair 5 for certain male specimens and found in only one homolog of chromosome pair 9. Specimens of R. tagoi (2n = 28) should thus have two pairs of telocentric chromosomes to provide the same number of chromosome arms, these originating quite likely from chromosome pair 1 in the 26-chromosome specimens by centric fission. Heteromorphic sex chromosomes of the XX-XY type in R. tagoi (2n = 28) in the Chausu mountains were identified. Karyotypes of tail-tip cells from a hybrid tadpole between female R. tagoi (2n = 26) from the Hinohara village in Tokyo and male R. tagoi (2n = 28) from the Chausu mountain population were examined by squash preparation. Chromosome number was 2n = 27 in all tadpoles. The 27 chromosomes consisted of one chromosome set of R. tagoi (2n = 28) and one of R. tagoi (2n = 26).     

Karyological and taxonomic notes on Genista L. (Papilionoideae, Leguminosae) from the Iberian Peninsula

Karyological information about Iberian Genista species is limited because of their wide geographical distribution. It is a major factor in the understanding of a genus whose genetic evolution is mostly related to aneuploidy and euploidy. The chromosome numbers of the following taxa have been counted: G. carpetana subsp. carpetana (n = 20), G. cinerascens (n = 12), G. micrantha (n = 18), G. mugronensis subsp. rigidissima (n = 18), G. ramosissima (2n = 48) and G. tinctoria (n = 24). The previously-assumed uniformity of chromosome number (n = 24) for all the subspecies of G. cinerea is supported here by data from subspp. murcica and speciosa. In G. florida, a new chromosome number, n = 23, has been found for both subspecies (florida and polygaliphylla). A discussion of the discrepancies between these data and previous ones is included. A new level of ploidy has been found in G. tuurnefortii subsp. tournefortii (n = 32). The data stress the necessity of obtaining chromosomal information from a number of plants of a taxon before its characteristic number is clear, and indicate that more chromosomal data will help the understanding of the cytological diversity within taxa in Genista.     

Karyotype analysis,nucleolus organizer regions and C-banding pattern of Eisenia foetida (oligochaeta,lumbricidae)

The diploid number 2n=22 and haploid number n=11 found for Eisenia foetida from Palermo, Italy, confirm earlier data for this species from other localities. Analyses of silver-stained and C-banded mitotic and meiotic chromosomes suggest that a single chromosome pair has active NORs which correspond with C-positive regions. The occurrence of nucleolus activity during spermatogenesis of E. foetida is ascertained.     

Karyotypes of Bembidion quadrimaculatum (L.) and Clivina fossor (L.) (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Bembidion quadrimaculatum possesses 24 chromosomes: 2n male = 22 + XY, 2n female = 22 + XX; their structure is meta- and submetacentric and differences in length between them are slight. Achiasmatic meiosis has been identified in spermatogenesis. The diploid chromosome number in Clivina fossor is 44; 2n male = 42 + XY, 2n female = 42 + XX. The chromosome structure is meta-, submeta-, and subtelocentric and X is the longest element in the set. 1 to 2 chiasmata per bivalent occur in meiosis.     

Aberrant spermatogenesis and sex determination in Bourletiellidae (Hexapoda, Collembola), and their evolutionary significance

Light and electron microscopic evidence is provided to describe a new example of a postzygotic sex-determination system in two collembolan species, Bourletiella arvalis and B. hortensis. In B. arvalis, where chromosome number could be assessed, both sexes are homogametic (n=6) and all zygotes have an identical chromosome composition (2n=12). However, male embryos develop after the loss of two sex chromosomes, making the male genotype 2n=10 (4AAX₁0X₂0). On the other hand, female embryos develop if the zygote retains all chromosomes and the female genetic system is, therefore, 4AAX₁X₁X₂X₂ (2n=12). As an apparent consequence of the lack of two chromosomes in the male germ cells, spermatogenesis is aberrant. At the first meiotic division, in fact, the two resulting secondary spermatocytes receive a different number of chromosomes: six and four. The cells which receive six chromosomes (one haploid set of four autosomes and two sex chromosomes) proceed through the meiotic process and the two spermatids generated produce two spermatozoa by a normal spermiogenesis. The cells receiving only four chromosomes do not undergo the second meiotic division and soon degenerate. The degenerating cells can be considered a morphological marker for this process, as they are easily recognizable at the electron microscope from the functional secondary spermatocytes by the appearance of the nucleus (totally condensed), the reduction of the cytoplasm (limited to a thin layer surrounding the nucleus), and the lack of most cytoplasmic organelles (with the exception of a couple of centrioles). Electron microscopic evidence has been collected for both species, allowing to extend the same process to B. hortensis, even if chromosomes could not be counted in this species. Therefore, as a result of the spermatocyte elimination, the efficiency of spermatogenesis is reduced to 50%. This process is identical to that observed in other collembolan species of the suborder Symphypleona, and it is suggested that it represents a synapomorphic feature uniting the families Dicyrtomidae, Sminthuridae and Bourletiellidae (Sminthuriformia). It is also suggested that the process is related with the finding of a distorted sex ratio in natural populations and, possibly, with the evolution of parthenogenesis. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that chromosome pairing and genetic recombination occurs only during female meiosis, while chromosomes do not pair during male meiosis. Accepted: 27 December 2000     

Aberrant spermatogenesis and the peculiar mechanism of sex determination in Symphypleonan Collembola (Insecta)

Light and electron microscopy evidence have been obtained to describe the peculiar spermatogenesis in the collembolan species Sminthurus viridis and Allacma fusca (Sminthuridae). In these two species, the two sexes differ for the lack of two chromosomes (the sex chromosomes) in males (males, 2n = 10; females, 2n = 12). While oogenesis seems to proceed normally, spermatogenesis is peculiar because the two daughter cells of the first meiotic division have different chromosome numbers (six and four). The cell receiving four chromosomes degenerates, while the cell receiving six chromosomes completes meiosis and produces identical spermatozoa (n = 6). At fertilization, pronuclei with six chromosomes fuse together to form zygotes with 2n = 12. Male embryos must lose two sex chromosomes during the first zygotic mitosis, as all male cells have 2n = 10 chromosomes. The sex chromosome system of these species can be identified as X1X1X2X2:X1X20. Electron microscopy observations show that the same peculiar spermatogenesis occurs also in two others species of the same family, Caprainea marginata and Lipothrix lubbocki. The peculiar sex determination system described is similar but not identical to what is observed in other insect orders, and it may represent an evolutionary step toward parthenogenesis. It is suggested that this peculiar spermatogenesis is common to all Symphypleona.     

Cytogenetics and karyosystematics of South American oryzomyine rodents (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae). IV. Karyotypes of Venezuelan, Trinidadian, and Argentinian water rats of the genus Nectomys.

Bone marrow chromosomes were studied in South American water rats of the genus Nectomys from Venezuela, Trinidad, and Argentina. Specimens of N. squamipes from western and southern Venezuela showed a 2n = 52-53 karyotype, whereas a 2n = 56-57 karyotype was found in specimens from northeastern Argentina. In both cases, odd karyotypes can be explained by the presence of a supernumerary chromosome. In contrast, water rats from northeastern Venezuela and Trinidad showed a strikingly reduced 2n = 16-17 polymorphic chromosome complement. Six different karyomorphs were found among the latter, which may have resulted from a combination of pericentric inversions in two pairs of autosomes and a centromeric fusion in another autosomal pair. It is proposed that the new 2n = 16-17 cytotypes belong to a species of its own, for which the name N. palmipes is suggested.     

Cytogenetics of fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). 1. Rat fleas of the genus Xenopsylla

Five populations of Xenopsylla cheopis exhibit a chromosome complement of 2n = 17, X1X2Y (male), and 2n = 18, X1X1X2X2 (female). A detailed analysis of populations of X. astia from Bombay and Trivandrum led to the identification of two distinct cytotypes which hybridisation studies indicated were sibling species. These are referred to as X. astia with a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 18, X1X2X3Y (male), and 2n = 20, X1X1X2X2X3X3 (female) and X. prasadii with 2n = 10, X1X2Y1Y2 (male), and 2n = 10 X1X1X2X2 (female). It is proposed that X. prasadii is derived from X. astia through translocation/fusion events since the average total chromosome lengths are remarkably similar in all three species.     

On the karyotype of a laboratory Trichinella strain from Bulgaria.

The karyotype of male and female individuals of the species Trichinella nelsoni was studied. It was found that the number of chromosomes in females individuals is 2n = 6 and in males 2n = 5. Each pair of chromosomes differs from one another as to dimensions and location of the centromere. The univalent chromosome that was found in the chromosome set containing five chromosomes is the second largest submetacentric chromosome. It is suggested that this chromosome is the sex chromome of the studied Trichinellae.     

八种国产大戟属植物的核型报道

8种大戟属Euphorbia L．植物的核型分析结果表明,大戟属不同亚属的染色体基数与其形态变 异的复杂性有一定关系。地锦草亚属subgen．Chamaesyce 3个种染色体基数分别为x=8,9,11;一品红 亚属subgen．Poinsettia两个种染色体基数均为x=7,分别为四倍体和八倍体;乳浆大戟亚属subgen． Esula 3个种,染色体基数分别为x=7,10,10。根据以前学者发表的资料分析,一品红亚属和大戟亚属 Subgen. Euphorbia的染色体基数是很稳定的,分别为x=7和x=10;通奶草E．hypericifolia为x=8 的四倍体,它不仅有染色体整倍性的变异,还有异基数性的变化。结合以前学者的研究,笔者支持x= 10为大戟属的最原始基数的观点。齿裂大戟E．dentata和通奶草具不同的染色体倍性,猫眼草E． esula的细胞染色体数目观察证实了我国存在四倍体的居群,与欧洲和北美的植物构成一个典型的多倍体复合体。     

中国两种波腿蝗（蝗总科：癞蝗科）染色体C带核型研究

报道中国两种波腿蝗的染色体C带核型,结果表明：红胫波腿蝗Asiotmethis zacharjini (Bei-Bienko, 1926) 2n ♂ =18, neo-X为亚中着丝粒染色体,其他均为近端着丝粒染色体,染色体除强染的着丝粒C带,S8染色体具强染端部C带带纹,neo-Y染色体还具有一条宽的弱染的近着丝粒端居间C带,性别决定机制是neo-XY ♂型,该种染色体组成和性别决定机制在我国癞蝗中为首次报道,蓝胫波腿蝗Asiotmethis jubatus (Uvarov, 1926) 2n＝19♂,均为近端着丝粒染色体,仅具有明显强染的着丝粒C带,性别决定机制是XO ♂型;两种波腿蝗的异染色质含量存在显著性差异（α=0.05）。     

C-banding patterns in chromosomes and sperm of Strophosoma capitatum (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Brachyderinae)

An analysis was made of the C-banded karyotype of Strophosoma capitatum (Deg.). The results indicate that the chromosome number is 2n = 22 and n Male = 10 + Xyp. The examined karyotype shows a pericentromeric position of constitutive heterochromatin in all autosomes. The shorter arm of the X chromosome is heterochromatic while the y chromosome is wholly euchromatic. Successive stages of spermatogenesis were analysed.     

Chromosome numbers of some species of Salvia (Lamiaceae) from the Sichuan Province, China

The present study reports the chromosome number of 12 accessions belonging to 10 species of Salvia from the Sichuan Province in China. Most accessions have the chromosome number 2n=2x=16. However, three species ( S. evansiana, S. przewalskii and S. brevilabra ) are tetraploid with a chromosome number of 2n=4x=32. A B-chromosome was observed in S. tricuspis . The basic chromosome number x=8 was inferred for all accessions studied. The chromosome number of all the species was determined for the first time, except for S. evansiana, S. przewalskii , S. flava and S. miltiorrhiza . The chromosomes in this genus are mostly small (0.46–2.94 μm). The small size of the chromosomes, together with their unclear centromeres, has hampered a detailed karyotype analysis.     

Chromosomal characteristics and karyotype evolution of Oxyopidae spiders (Araneae, Entelegynae)

We made a cytogenetic analysis of four species of Oxyopidae and compared it with the karyotype data of all species of this family. In Hamataliwa sp, the mitotic cells showed 2n♂ = 26+X(1)X(2) and telocentric chromosomes. The 2n♂ = 28, which has been described for only one oxyopid spider, is the highest diploid number reported for this family. Peucetia species exhibited distinct karyotype characteristics, i.e., 2n♂ = 20+X(1)X(2) in P. flava and 2n♂ = 20+X in P. rubrolineata, revealing interspecific chromosome variability within this genus. However, both Peucetia species exhibited telocentric chromosomes. The most unexpected karyotype was encountered in Oxyopes salticus, which presented 2n♂ = 10+X in most individuals and a predominance of biarmed chromosomes. Additionally, one male of the sample of O. salticus was heterozygous for a centric fusion that originated the first chromosomal pair and exhibited one supernumerary chromosome in some cells. Testicular nuclei of Hamataliwa sp and O. salticus revealed NORs on autosomal pairs, after silver impregnation. The majority of Oxyopidae spiders have their karyotype differentiated by both reduction in diploid number chromosome number and change of the sex chromosome system to X type; however, certain species retain the ancestral chromosome constitution 2n = 26+X1X2. The most remarkable karyotype differentiation occurred in O. salticus studied here, which showed the lowest diploid number ever observed in Oxyopidae and the second lowest registered for Entelegynae spiders.     

Chromosomal rearrangements in rock wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). VI. Determination of the plesiomorphic karyotype: G-banding comparison of Thylogale with Petrogale persephone, P. xanthopus, and P. l. lateralis.

G-banding has demonstrated the presence of a conserved (2n = 22) chromosome complement in the macropod genus Thylogale and in some Petrogale species. This plesiomorphic karyotype consists of acrocentric chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10; submetacentric chromosomes 3 and 4; and a metacentric chromosome 7. It should now be possible to relate the G-banding patterns of all other Petrogale species to this plesiomorphic complement and thereby determine the number and types of changes that have occurred during the course of chromosome evolution in Petrogale. It is hypothesised that this 2n = 22 complement is plesiomorphic for all macropodids.     

Chromosome characterization in Acestrorhynchinae and Cynopotaminae (Pisces, Characidae)

The karyotypes of six species of Acestrorhynchinae ( Acestrorhynchus alus, A. lacustris, Oligosarcus hepsetus, O. jenynsii, O. macrolepis and O. pinloi ) and of one species of Cynopotaminae ( Galeocharax knerii ) were studied. The six Acestrorhynchinae species have 2 n = 50, while Galeocharax knerii has 2 n = 52 chromosomes. Some chromosomal characteristics were detected which permit establishing some karyotypic relationships among the different species investigated. Thus, among the Acestrorhynchinae, the four Oligosarcus species are relatively more related to one another than the two Acestrorhynchus species, at least with respect to the cytogenetic data considered. On the basis of the methods used, no sex chromosome heteromorphism was detected in the species for which a comparative study between male and female specimens was possible.     

Monoamine oxidase in adult Ascaridia galli

Monoamine oxidase (MAO), catalysing oxidative deamination of biogenic monoamines, has been detected in adult Ascaridia galli. MAO was present in mitochondria and deaminated noradrenaline at the maximal rate, although serotonin, adrenaline, tyramine and dopamine were also degraded but more slowly. Of the organs studied, the body wall, female reproductive organ and intestine, the body wall (containing neuronal structures) showed highest MAO activity. Km value for chick ascarid mitochondrial MAO using tyramine as substrate was 1.66 X 10(-3) M and it was most active at 2.5 mM tyramine concentration, pH 7.5 and 40 degrees C. MAO of A. galli appeared to be thermolabile as nearly 80% of its activity was lost when the incubation temperature was increased 5 degrees above optimum.