A population analysis of Robertsonian and Ag-NOR polymorphisms in brown trout (Salmo trutta)

An analysis of Robertsonian polymorphism and variation in the number of active NORs has been carried out in several populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) from Northwestern Spain. The karyotype of this species appears to be soundly established, and essentially no variation has been found in chromosome number. Interindividual and interpopulation variation in arm number was detected, with figures ranging between 100 and 102 among individuals, and between 100.10 and 100.80 among populations. This variation in arm number is solely attributable to the polymorphism of the short arm of the main NOR-bearing pair 11, which can appear from acrocentric to metacentric in different individuals. Most populations analyzed showed the standard distribution of active NORs previously observed in this species. The Miño drainage basin, and specially the Chamoso population, showed a multi-chromosomal distribution of active NORs, with several new locations, always telomeric. In most cases no concordance was observed between previously detected rDNA sites in S. trutta and the new Ag-NOR locations. This fact suggests a transposition mechanism rather than an activation of silent rDNA sites to explain this multichromosomal NOR pattern.     

B chromosome variation in Euphydryas colon (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Cytogenetic analysis of an Idaho population of the checkerspot butterfly, Euphydryas colon, has revealed considerable inter- and intra-individual variation in chromosome number which turns out to be a classic case of B chromosome variation. The basic chromosome complement of the species is n (, )=31. The A chromosomes were aligned equatorially at mitotic metaphase and metaphase II, and axially at metaphase I, indicating a restriction of centric activity at the first meiotic division. No failure of pairing between homologous A chromosomes was observed and, although a marked asynchrony of chromatid separation was found to be characteristic of mitotic telophase and telophase II, the frequency of macrospermatid formation was low. The B chromosomes were at least partly heterochromatic but exhibited some variation in both pycnosity and size. Mitotically stable B-containing individuals showed a preponderance of unpaired Bs at first metaphase and these divided at either first or second anaphase. The presence of Bs was associated with a heightened production of abnormal spermatids particularly in individuals with high numbers of B chromosomes. Among the 25 individuals sampled, 21 carried from 1–6 B chromosomes, and of these 14 were mitotically stable. In all 7 unstable individuals the mean number of B chromosomes per cell exceeded the modal number. Assuming that the modal number represents the zygotic number, these results suggest that a mechanism to boost the number of B chromosomes exists in males of E. colon.     

Cytophotometric studies on the DNA content in diploid and polyploid enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta)

The amount of DNA in nerve nuclei was determined by Feulgen cytophotometry in 45 species and cytotypes. The DNA value of spermatids, spermatogonial nuclei and nerve nuclei in newly hatched worms was determined in some species. The total variation in DNA content ranges from a relative value of 0.40 to 4.85. The DNA content in diploid species ranges from 0.40 to 1.12. In two genera (Lumbricillus and Enchytraeus) wide diversification in chromosome numbers at the diploid level is accompanied by wide variation in DNA values, whereas other genera and species groups (Mesenchytraeus, Henlea and Marionina), which are conservative in this respect, are closer in DNA values. In the genus Fridericia constancy in chromosome number is associated with wide variation in DNA values, this may be due to an increase in DNA taking place in old individuals. In 9 out of 10 cases nearly identical ratios are found between chromosome numbers and DNA values in polyploids and related diploids or lower polyploids. Differential polyteny is recorded in two cases.Dedicated to Professor Dr. J. Seiler on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.     

Chromosomes tell half of the story: the correlation between karyotype rearrangements and genetic diversity in sedges,a group with holocentric chromosomes

Chromosome rearrangements may affect the rate and patterns of gene flow within species, through reduced fitness of structural heterozygotes or by reducing recombination rates in rearranged areas of the genome. While the effects of chromosome rearrangements on gene flow have been studied in a wide range of organisms with monocentric chromosomes, the effects of rearrangements in holocentric chromosomes—chromosomes in which centromeric activity is distributed along the length of the chromosome—have not. We collected chromosome number and molecular genetic data in Carex scoparia, an eastern North American plant species with holocentric chromosomes and highly variable karyotype (2n = 56–70). There are no deep genetic breaks within C. scoparia that would suggest cryptic species differentiation. However, genetic distance between individuals is positively correlated with chromosome number difference and geographic distance. A positive correlation is also found between chromosome number and genetic distance in the western North American C. pachystachya (2n = 74–81). These findings suggest that geographic distance and the number of karyotype rearrangements separating populations affect the rate of gene flow between those populations. This is the first study to quantify the effects of holocentric chromosome rearrangements on the partitioning of intraspecific genetic variance.     

Biosystematic study ofSedum L. SubgenusAizoon (Crassulaceae)

Variation in chromosome number and morphological characters ofSedum aizoon L. var.floribundum Nakai were investigated to analyze, correlations between them. Geographical variation in chromosome number was also examined. Chromosome numbers of 189 individuals from 55 localities were counted as 2n=32, 33, 34, 48, 61, 64, 78, 80, 84, 85, 88, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 102. InSedum subgenusAizoon, which has the basic number of X=8, var.floribundum of the speciesaizoon showed a polyploid series from tetraploid to dodecaploid. Tetraploids were found most frequently in this variety. More than two chromosome numbers were found in all the populations with 2n=61 or more. Tetraploids were mainly distributed in the eastern part of Japan, and higher polyploids (higher than hexaploid level except octaploids) were distributed in the western part of Japan. Thirteen morphological characters were examined in 119 individuals belonging to 30 populations. The principal component analysis and the cluster analysis of these characters indicated that populations with similar chromosome numbers were not always morphologically similar. Ten morphotypes can be recognized based on the combination of chromosome number and morphological characters. ThusS. aizoon var.floribundum can be regarded as a polyploid-aneuploid complex.     

A Population Analysis of the Structure and Variability of NOR in Salmo Trutta by Ag, CMA3 and ISH

An analysis of the variation in the number and location of rDNA genes has been carried out in two populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) from Poland by using Ag and CMA₃-staining, and rDNA in situ hybridisation. We observed an interindividual variation in arm number with NF = 100, 101, and 102. This variation was connected with the size polymorphism of the short (NOR-bearing) arm of the chromosome pair 11. The population studied showed a multichromosomal distribution of active NORs. Atypical Ag-NORs consisted of rDNA genes, as evidenced by rDNA-ISH. In addition to individuals with standard NORs, specimens with extra NORs as well as others with only one active NOR and single interphase nucleolus were observed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Polymorphism and mosaicism of B chromosome number in Korean field mouse <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus peninsulae</Emphasis> (Rodentia) in the Russian Far East

A karyotype analysis of the Apodemus peninsulae (n = 355) from 41 trapping points from the Russian Far East has allowed us to identify B chromosomes in 87.9% of the animals, 61.7% of which are mosaics. Different levels of variability in the B chromosome numbers have been studied, including both the inter- and intrapopulational, as well as intraindividual variability (mosaicism). It was found that the frequencies of the occurrence of individuals with B chromosomes and mosaicism between different population samples were not constant. The range of the modal B chromosome number variability and variation of the xB index (zero to four; on average, the xB amounted to 1.67) were studied for the first time in different samples and populations of this species. Individuals with the predominant numbers of B chromosome (as a rule, zero to two) were revealed in both groups of animals (with stable and mosaic karyotypes), but the frequency was different in geographical regions. The spectra of B chromosome variability were wider in mosaics (zero to seven) compared to animals with stable karyotypes (zero to four). The importance of this for species of the high frequency of individuals with B chromosomes and with mosaicism has been discussed. The adaptive role of the low number of B chromosomes (one to two), as well as the imbalance of the B chromosome system for the species as a whole is assumed.     

Biosystematic study ofSedum L. subgenusAizoon (Crassulaceae)

Chromosome numbers of 114 individuals from twelve populations ofSedum aizoon L. var.aizoon (Crassulaceae) are reported. They include 37 different chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=71 to 124. Although the chromosome number variation has been found in all populations examined, no correlation with geographical distribution could not be found. Various kinds of meiotic irregularities, i.e., multivalents, univalents, chromosome lagging, and polysporous “tetrad” formation have been found. These irregularities lead to the formation of gametes with various chromosome numbers. All aneuploid plants set seeds and seem to reproduce sexually. The extensive aneuploidy in var.aizoon seems to be caused by the unequal chromosome segregation in meiosis and the subsequent fertilization of gametes with various chromosome numbers.     

Variability of recombination frequencies in the Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic (Zea mays L.)

Variability in recombination frequency has been reported in several plant populations. The objectives of the present research were to establish the range in variability in recombination among genotypes in the important corn population Iowa Stiff Stalk Synthetic and to identify individual genotypes which produced increased or decreased recombination frequencies. Approximately 150 individual S₀ plants were testcrossed to measure male recombination frequency on three chromosomes: 4, sul-c2; 5, a2-btl-pr1; and 9, sh1-bz1-wx1. Although the variance component for individuals accounted for only 20–33% of the total variation, highly significant variability among individuals was present at all chromosome regions. Thus the environmental effects did not prevent measurement of differences between S₀ individuals. At each chromosome region, individual genotypes with recombination frequencies at least two standard deviations above or below the population mean were isolated. Reports in the literature suggest that the variability reported here for the BSSS population should be representative of that present in other corn breeding populations. Recombination frequencies were positively correlated between adjacent regions of chromosome 9 and also between adjacent regions of chromosome 5. Recombination frequencies were positively correlated between both regions on chromosome 5 with the su1-c2 region of chromosome 4. Negative correlations were observed between chromosome 9 recombination and recombination in each region of chromosomes 4 and 5. Thus rankings of S₀ individual recombination frequencies were not consistent for all three chromosomes.     

Mirrored Genome Size Distributions in Monocot and Dicot Plants

The variation in genome size and basic chromosome number was analyzed in the wide range of angiosperm plants. A divergence of monocots vs. dicots (eudicots) genome size distributions was revealed. A similar divergence was found for annual vs. perennial dicots. The divergence of monocots vs. dicots genome size distributions holds at different taxonomic levels and is more pronounced for species with larger genomes. Using nested analysis of variance, it was shown that putative constraints on genome size variation are not only stronger in dicots as compared to monocots but in the former they start to operate already at the family level, whereas in the latter they do so only at the order level. At the same time, variation in basic chromosome number is constrained at the order level in both groups. Higher basic chromosome numbers were found in perennial plants as compared to the annual ones, which can be explained by their need for a higher genetic recombination as compensation for the longer life-cycles. A negative correlation was found between genome size and basic chromosome number, which can be explained as a trade-off between different recombination mechanisms.     

Chromosome evolution in ground beetles: localization of the rDNA loci in the tribe Harpalini (Coleoptera,Carabidae)

The pattern of localization of the ribosomal genes was studied by means of fluorescence in situ hybridization in 39 species of the tribe Harpalini. Most of them show one pair of autosomes carrying the ribosomal genes in a distal position of a single chromosome arm. This pattern is hypothesized to be ancestral for the whole tribe. Both, chromosome number and the number and localization of rDNA loci, show little variation and are therefore of little phylogenetic value. Only in the subtribe Ditomina is there enough variation to characterize phyletic relationships. The stability of rDNA loci is even higher than the constancy of chromosome number, as most species of Ditomina (genera Dixus, Eocarterus, Carterus, Odontocarus and Ditomus) have the usual pair of autosomes with rDNA loci, in spite of remarkable differences in the diploid number. Only Dixus sphaerocephalus and Dixus clypeatus have two autosomal pairs with a fluorescent signal. These results do not support the hypothesis that the high chromosome numbers found within Ditomina are the result of polyploid change from the ancestral 2n = 37 karyotype of the tribe Harpalini. Chromosomal translocations or the presence of mobile genetic elements are plausible sources of the few cases of intraspecific polymorphism in the rDNA loci found in species of Harpalus.     

NATURAL INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICAN CLAYTONIA

The eastern North American spring ephemeral Claytonia virginica (Portulacaceae) is well known for its great variation in chromosome number. The origin and significance of this cytological diversity has been a source of some controversy over the last two decades; in particular it has been suggested that one major source of variation could have arisen by allopolyploidy following hybridization between C. virginica and the second eastern North American representative of the genus, C. caroliniana. However, there has been no rigorous demonstration of natural hybridization between these taxa, and attempts to document hybridity have been hampered by a paucity of distinguishing morphological characters. Nuclear ribosomal gene markers are, however, able to distinguish between the two species and provide a means of identifying hybrid plants. We have found a locality in central New York state where the two species cooccur; in this population, hybrid individuals with additive ribosomal gene patterns are found in a zone of overlap between the two parental species. These hybrids are morphologically intermediate and have reduced pollen stainabilities, and appear to be F₁ individuals.     

我国原生植物假泽兰(菊科)的细胞学研究

该文研究了我国原生植物假泽兰(Mikania cordata)台湾花莲居群、苗栗居群、宜兰居群以及台北居群的染色体数目和染色体形态。结果表明:所有居群的染色体数目为2n=36,第一对染色体为近中部着丝粒染色体,其长臂中部具有次缢痕,显著大于其余染色体。各居群的核型公式皆为2n=18m+18sm,核型均为2B型,染色体内不对称性指数(A_1)的变化范围为0.38~0.39,染色体之间不对称性指数(A_2)的变化范围为0.30~0.32。此为我国假泽兰居群染色体数目的唯一报道,也是对该种核型的首次报道。结合前人对假泽兰染色体数目的研究结果,认为假泽兰存在种内非整倍性现象,但在中国台湾的居群中目前仅发现基于x=18的二倍体(2n=36)。假泽兰的第一对染色体的长臂中部具次缢痕,与假泽兰属已报道的核型相似,这一次缢痕可作为假泽兰属的细胞学标记。核型资料、野外观察以及ISSR数据显示薇甘菊(M.micrantha)在我国的成功入侵与入侵种和本土种之间的杂交渐渗无关。根据标本记录和野外考察结果,我国假泽兰现在的分布区与过去相比有了很大的缩减,推测生境的破坏和薇甘菊的侵入可能是导致假泽兰在中国台湾地区逐渐消失的主要原因。     

QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF OVARIOLE NUMBER IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER. I. SEGREGATING VARIATION AND FITNESS

The number of ovarioles of the Drosophila melanogaster ovary is a trait thought to be associated with female fecundity, and therefore is expected to be under strong natural selection. This hypothesis may be tested by examining patterns of genetic and environmental variation for ovariole number in natural populations, and by determining the association between ovariole number and fitness in isogenic lines derived from a natural population. We measured ovariole number, and competitive fitness and its components, for 48 homozygous chromosome 3 substitution lines in a standard inbred background; and body size in a sample of 15 chromosome 3 substitution lines. We found significant segregating genetic variation for ovariole number, with a broad-sense heritability (H²) of 0.403 and correspondingly high coefficients of genetic variation (CV_C = 20.8) and residual variation (CV_R = 25.3). Estimates of quantitative genetic parameters for body size (H² = 0.191, CV_G = 2.15, and CV_R = 3.87) are similar to those previously reported for this trait. Although the isogenic chromosome 3 substitution lines varied significantly for components of fitness, there was no significant linear or quadratic association of ovariole number and body size with fitness. There was, however, highly significant sex × genotype interaction for fitness among these lines. This special case of genotype × environment interaction for fitness may contribute to the maintenance of genetic variation for fitness in natural populations.     

Cytogenetic characterisation of the Caspian Pond Turtle,Mauremys caspica in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces,Iran (Reptilia: Testudines)

Cytogenetic characteristics of the Caspian Pond Turtle, Mauremys caspica, in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces in the northern part of Iran show that the chromosome number is 2n?=?52 and the arm number NF?=?78. The karyotype consisted of 9 metacentric (M), 1 submetacentric (SM), 3 subtelocentric (ST) and 13 telocentric (T) chromosome pairs. The Centromeric Index ranges from 11.79 to 45.68, the arm ratio between 1.18 and 7.47, the relative length between 1.60 and 11.46, and the length variation between 1.05 and 7.48. Average total length of the chromosomes is 65.27 µm. The largest chromosome in this species is a pair of the metacentric chromosome. Location of NOR was determined on chromosome pair no. 10.     

Robertsonian polymorphism and constitutive heterochromatin distribution in chromosomes of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

White-blood-cell culture was used to examine the chromosomes of 53 rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) from three locations in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. A Robertsonian chromosome polymorphism is present, resulting in diploid numbers of 60, 59, or 58 in different individuals with 104 chromosome arms. The low level of intraindividual Robertsonian variation, differences in the number of subtelocentric chromosomes between individuals with different chromosome numbers, and frequencies of fish with different chromosome numbers in one population suggest that the interindividual differences are inherited and not somatic. C-banding shows that constitutive heterochromatin is localized near the centromeres and near the secondary constriction one chromosome pair.     

Two new karyotypes in the Peruvian owl monkey (Aotus trivirgatus)

The observation of remarkable karyotypic variation in owl monkeys (Aotus trivirgatus) stimulated us to study the chromosomal evolution of this New World genus. As an extension of this project, we examined the chromosome complement of a “phenotype-B” Aotus population from Peru. In addition to karyotype V(2n = 46), two new karyotypes with diploid numbers of 47 and 48 were identified. A G-band comparison of these karyotypes indicated that the chromosome number polymorphism in these Peruvian owl monkeys resulted from a single fusion or fission event involving a single metacentric and two acrocentric chromosome pairs. This mechanism is also known to be responsible for the chromosome number polymorphism in at least two other populations of phenotype B Aotus, one from Colombia and the other from Panama.     

Latitudinal clines in the grasshopper Dichroplus elongatus: Coevolution of the A genome and B chromosomes?

Argentine populations of Dichroplus elongatus (Orthoptera: Acrididae) are polymorphic for B chromosomes. Previous studies showed that B chromosomes affect body size and some fitness components in Northwestern populations. We studied phenotype and B′s variation patterns along a latitudinal cline as well as the relationship between karyotype and body size related traits in 17 populations from East. Body size related traits showed a ‘saw tooth’ pattern of variation being small at low and high latitudes and large at intermediate latitudes in most of the analysed populations. Analyses of variance and principal components demonstrated that in most analysed populations B carrier males are associated with a decrease in body size related traits with respect to individuals with standard karyotype. Accordingly with the relationship between karyotype and body size, an opposite pattern of latitudinal variation in the frequencies of B′s with respect to body size variation was observed in this area. i.e. smaller individuals tend to have a higher frequency of B chromosomes. The comparison of the differentiation of both karyotype and body size traits with molecular neutral markers demonstrated the relative importance of selection moulding chromosome and phenotype variation. The observed pattern of phenotypic variation is likely to be the result of local adaptation to season length along the latitudinal gradient. The observed contrary pattern of B′s clinal variation may reflect the population ability to maintain this chromosome in relation to the local adaptation. The available evidence indicates that the distribution of B chromosome frequency was shaped by selective factors.     

Numerical and structural variations of the X chromosomes and no. 2 autosomes in mandarin vole, Microtus mandarinus (Rodentia)

Here we describe our studies on Microtus mandarinus faeceus of Jiangyan in Jiangsu province of China. By karyotype and G-banding analysis we have found variation in chromosome number and polymorphisms of the X chromosome and the second pair of autosomes of the subspecies. Chromosome number of the subspecies is 2n=47-50. The subspecies has three kinds of chromosomal sex: XX, XO and XY, among which one of the X chromosomes is subtelocentric (X(ST)) and the other is metacentric (X(M)). After comparing karyotypes of different subspecies, we found the specific cytogenetic characteristics of Microtus mandarinus, that is they have three kinds of chromosomal sex: XX, XO and XY; X chromosomes are heteromorphic; the chromosome number of female individuals are one less than male individuals; chromosome number of XX individuals are equal to that of XO ones. We hypothesize that Robertsonian translocation is the main reason of the polymorphism of the second pair of autosomes and variety of chromosome number, and it also causes the chromosome number evolution in different subspecies of Microtus mandarinus.