Cytogenetic studies in the speciesCercopithecus pogonias (Bennet 1833) andCercopithecus nictitans (Linnaeus 1966)

We describe the banding patterns of the chromosomes of Cercopithecus pogonias(2n = 72) and Cercopithecus nictitans nictitans(2n = 70), the two species which exhibit the highest diploid numbers among the Cercopithecidae, using G-banding, C-banding, and nucleolar organizing region (NOR)-staining techniques. The karyotypes of these two species show a large number of morphological homologies, but several chromosome pairs cannot be matched. It is suggested that translocations and insertions may have been important in the chromosomal evolution of this group.     

Karyosystematic studies on threeCrepis species (Asteraceae) endemic to Greece

This work examines the cytogeographical distribution, the morphological characters, and the karyotypes of threeCrepis species endemic to Greece (C. sibthorpiana, C. incana, andC. heldreichiana). C. sibthorpiana is diploid (2n = 2x = 8),C. incana is diploid (2n = 2x = 8) and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 16, 17), andC. heldreichiana is always dekaploid (2n = 10x = 40). The Giemsa positive bands, usually pairs of dots, are mainly centromeric inC. incana, while they are terminal inC. sibthorpiana (on the short arm of all chromosomes) and inC. heldreichiana (on both arms of all chromosomes). Intercalary C-bands are scarce and usually variable within karyotypes, individuals, and species. The most variable karyotype both in Feulgen and Giemsa preparations is that ofC. incana, in which also supernumerary chromosomes were observed, which are polysomic to standard set members. On the basis of morphological and karyological data the evolutionary relationships among the threeCrepis taxa are discussed.     

Karyotype analyses in three Patagonian and S. Andean endemic genera ofNicotianeae (Solanaceae)

The somatic chromosomes and karyotypes of threeNicotianeae have been studied for the first time. All of them have 2n = 2x = 22 and symmetrical karyotypes.Benthamiella pycnophylloides has 9 m pairs + 1 sm pair + 1 st pair; pairs 2, 4, 5, and 11 bear microsatellites.Combera paradoxa andPantacantha ameghinoi have 9 m pairs + 2 sm pairs; pair 11 ofC. paradoxa is satellited, while pair 9 ofP. ameghinoi bears microsatellites and shows a pericentric inversion in heterozygous state in 20% of the seedlings. Results are compared with previous chromosome reports for the tribe. The cytological data support their present position in the family system. Besides,Benthamiella, Combera andPantacantha appear to be primitive genera ofNicotianeae, a comparatively advanced tribe within the family.Chromosome studies onNicotianeae (Solanaceae) 1.     

Polyploidy and aneuploidy inOphrys,Orchis, andAnacamptis (Orchidaceae)

Studies on chromosome numbers and karyotypes in Orchid taxa from Apulia (Italy) revealed triploid complements inOphrys tenthredinifera andOrchis italica. InO. tenthredinifera there is no significant difference between the diploid and the triploid karyotypes. The tetraploid cytotype ofAnacamptis pyramidalis forms 36 bivalents during metaphase I in embryo sac mother cells. Aneuploidy was noticed inOphrys bertolonii ×O. tarentina with chromosome numbers n = 19 and 2n = 38. There were diploid (2n = 2x = 36), tetraploid (2n = 4x = 72), hexaploid (2n = 6x = 108) and octoploid (2n = 8x = 144) cells in the ovary wall of the diploid hybridOphrys apulica ×O. bombyliflora. Evolutionary trends inOphrys andOrchis chromosomes are discussed.     

The banded chromosomes of theC. nictitans stampflii (Jentink, 1888)

The karyotype of the speciesC. nictitans stampflii was analysed with high resolution G-banding techniques and with the aid of an image analysis computer system. The diploid number is 2n=70; chromosomes n. 13 and n. 33, and the NOR-bearing chromosomes have variant forms. The high degree of chromosomal variability in the genusCercopithecus is well known, but the degree, the role, and the phylogenetic relevance of the chromosomal variants are yet to be clarified. For this reason it seems worthwile to report on the chromosomal polymorphism found in the sub-species ofC. nictitans stampflii even if the data comes from a single specimen.     

Notes on chromosomes of ten species of the genus chrysolina mots. (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae)

SixChrysolina species from Catalonia and the Canary Islands (Spain), viz.americana, gemina, femoralis, cerealis, menthastri andpolita, have similar diploid karyotypes of 24 (sub)metacentric chromosomes, and show Xy sex-determining system.C. banksi andobsoleta have 2n ()=23; their karyotype is presumably derived from that of the former group by loss of the y chromosomes. InC. haemoptera andC. carnifex 40 elements appear in the diploid set. It seems that 2n=24 is the most frequent number in theChrysolina. Higher chromosome numbers have possibly originated through centric fissions, as the acrocentric shape ofC. carnifex chromosomes seems to suggest. The 2n=23 and 24 species feed onLabiatae, while the two higher chromosome number species are associated with plants belonging to other families.     

A miscellaneous collection of bird karyotypes

In the framework of a project on bird sexing for zoos, orcein stained karyotypes were studied of 16 species belonging to 7 avian orders, viz.Tinamus solitarius (Tinamiformes),Scopus umbretta, Jabiru mycteria, Mycteria cinerea, Ciconia (=Dissoura) (episcopus) stormi andC. (=D.) e. episcopus (Ciconiiformes),Aburria pipile cumanensis, A. p. grayi, Penelope purpurascens, Lagopus lagopus andArborophila orientalis (Galliformes),Phalcoboenus megalopterus (Falconiformes),Burhinus magnirostris (Charadriiformes),Carpococcyx renauldi (Cuculiformes), andCeratogymna (=Bycanistes) subcylindricus andC.(=B.) bucinator (Coraciiformes). With the exception ofCiconia (=Dissoura) e. episcopus, all these karyotypes are new to cytology. They are briefly described and compared to karyotypes of the respective families and orders known from the literature. Cytotaxonomic implications are briefly discussed. The karyotypes ofBurhinus magnirostris (2n=42),Ceratogymna subcylindricus (2n=44) andC. bucinator (2n=40) exhibit the lowest diploid chromosome numbers hitherto found in birds. Of these, the twoCeratogymna species almost completely lack microchromosomes.     

Giemsa karyotypes and their evolutionary significance inScilla bifolia,S. drunensis,andS. vindobonensis (Liliaceae)

Quantitatively evaluated C-banded and conventional karyograms are presented for the related speciesScilla bifolia subsp.danubialis Speta,S. drunensis (Speta)Speta, andS. vindobonensis Speta. On the basis of banding patterns and karyotype structureS. bifolia subsp.danubialis (2n = 18, 2×) andS. drunensis (2n = 36, 4×) are quite similar, whileS. vindobonensis (2n = 18, 2×) is entirely different. There is a moderate degree of karyotypic variation withinS. bifolia subsp.danubialis andS. drunensis. However, inS. vindobonensis karyotypes and banding patterns are almost completely stable over a geographical range of about 500 km. The present results confirm the recent taxonomic separation ofS. vindobonensis fromS. bifolia, and suggest a considerable phylogenetic distance between these two diploid species. The results are discussed with reference to the morphological characters of the species and their geographical distribution.Evolution ofScilla and Related Genera, II.Dedicated to Univ.-Prof. Dr.Elisabeth Tschermak-Woess on the occasion of her 60th birthday.     

Vergleichende Karyologie der Gräser-SubtribenAristaveninae undAirinae (Poaceae — Aveneae)

The chromosome numbers of nearly all species of the grass subtribesAristaveninae andAirinae from Europe and northern Africa are presented. Among theAristaveninae the genusAristavena has 2n = 14 chromosomes, whereasDeschampsia forms a polyploid series with the basic number x = 13. In the subtribeAirinae the basic number x = 7 predominates.Avenella includes a polyploid series up to dekaploidy, whilst the lowest diploid value so far known in grasses — caused by descending dysploidy — exists in the annual generaAiropsis andPeriballia with 2n = 8.From both subtribes 12 different karyotypes are described and depicted as idiograms. The basic karyotypes ofCorynephorus, Periballia andVahlodea differ from each other by different chromosome length. SAT-chromosomes in theAirinae vary somewhat. Some marker chromosomes eludicate phylogenetic relationships. Amphiplasty appears in various genera and was studied particularly in the amphidiploidAira caryophyllea. Karyological and genomatic trends are considered in relation to evolutionary strategies of annuals and perennials.The nuclear DNA content of some species has been determined cytophotometrically. In subtribeAirinae a positive correlation exists between chromosome volume, pollen diameter, and DNA content. A comparison of the duration of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis in annual and perennial species with their nuclear DNA content has shown that a primary nucleotypic influence is not recognizable.

     

Karyotypic study of titi monkeys,Callicebus moloch brunneus

A karyotypic study on a subspecies of the dusky titi,Callicebus moloch brunneus, was carried out and a third karyotype ofC. moloch was discovered. The chromosome number of this subspecies is 48. The autosomes consist of 5 subtelocentric, 5 submeta- or metacentric, and 13 acrocentric chromosome pairs. The X chromosome and the Y chromosome are submetacentric and metacentric, respectively. A comparative study with other subspecies of theC. moloch group (i.e.,C. m. cupreus andC. m. ornatus with 2n=46 andC. m. donacophilus with 2n=50) suggests that the karyotype ofbrunneus occupies a position intermediate between the two other karyotypes ofC. moloch, but nearer to that of 2n=50. The presumed total differences betweenbrunneus andcupreus comprise one Robertsonian rearrangement, one centromeric transposition and four pericentric inversions, and those betweenbrunneus anddonacophilus involve one translocation or breakage (possibly corresponding to two events, that is, one Robertsonian rearrangement and one centromeric transposition).     

Cytological studies inCyclamen subg.Cyclamen (Primulaceae)

Although theCyclamen subg.Cyclamen spp. are morphologically variable, previous studies suggest a superficial cytological uniformity. New chromosome numbers and an indication of karyotypic instability are reported inC. hederifolium andC. africanum that reveal that the cytology of the subgenus is more complicated than previous accounts suggest. The possible significance of these phenomena is discussed. The diploid status ofC. purpurascens has been confirmed and a distinction between the three diploid karyotypes has been described. The cytological variation may help to explain the well documented morphological variation exhibited in these species.     

Systematics and karyoevolution inMagnoliidae:Tetrameranthus as compared with otherAnnonaceae genera of the same chromosome number

First generic chromosome counts reveal the base number x=7 for the generaTetrameranthus andRollinia. T. umbellatus from the Peruvian Amazon is diploid (2n=14),T. duckei from Brazil (Manaus) is tetraploid (2n=28). In the NeotropicsRollinia (7 species counted) has developed diploid to octoploid taxa (2n=14, 28, 42, 56). Counts of 7 South AmericanAnnona species are presented for comparison (2n=14, 28). The West AfricanCleistopholis patens has 2n=14. The Asian genusMezettia: 2n=14 and the neotropicalGuatteria tribe: 2n=28 are also revised. A detailed karyomorphological comparison, including karyotypes, banding patterns, condensing behaviour of chromosomes and structure of interphase nuclei reveals that the closely related generaAnnona andRollinia are almost identical in their diploid genomes, whereas the polyploid ones differ in their heterochromatin (=hc) composition and number of NO-chromosomes.Cleistopholis, Mezettia and theGuatteria tribe are karyologically and systematically distinct from each other and fromAnnona/Rollinia. Tetrameranthus as compared with the karyomorphology of about 60 other Annonaceous genera has a very peculiar and unusual karyomorphology which underlines its isolated position. Nuclear structures are almost identical in the African genusUvariopsis (2n = 16) and partly similar in theGuatteria tribe; both also share some morphological similarities and possibly are related. From a comparison ofTetrameranthus with several nuclear types within theMagnoliidae, a new model of chromosome evolution in primitive Angiosperms is suggested. In respect to their eco-morphological differentiation the genera investigated differ strongly from each other.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. K.-H.Rechinger on the occasion of His 80th birthday.     

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.     

The use of karyotyping in the systematics of yeasts

The use of electrophoretic karyotyping in systematics of yeasts is discussed. New data are provided on the karyotypes of the medically important fungiHortaea werneckii, Filobasidiella (=Cryptococcus)neoformans, andMalassezia species.Hortaea werneckii has twelve to eighteen bands of chromosomal DNA, ranging in size between 500 and 2300 kb. The karyotypes ofFilobasidiella neoformans consist of seven to fourteen bands of chromosomal DNA. The varietiesneoformans andbacillispora cannot be separated by their karyotypes, and no obvious correlation was found with serotypes, geography or habitat. All strains ofMalassezia pachydermatis studied have similar karyotypes consisting of five bands, whereas inM. furfur, four different karyotypes are prevalent. However, each of these karyotypes is stable.     

Discovery of a diploid population of theHemidactylus garnotii-vietnamensis complex (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)

A diploid member of the parthenogenetic gekkonid species complexHemidactylus garnotii-vietnamensis was discovered for the first time from Thailand. This gecko, seemingly unisexual and parthenogenetic, possesses 2n=2x=38 chromosomes, showing distinct heteromorphisms. The absence of bisexual congeneric species with a combination of karyomorphs to produce this karyotype indicates the occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements after the initial estabilishment of a diploid clonal lineage of hybrid origin. Results of karyotypic comparisons of the present sample and the three known triploid species belonging to theH. garnotii-vietnamensis complex suggest that a triploid karyomorph similar to that ofH. vietnamensis has first emerged through an insemination of the diploid parthenogen's egg by the sperm from a bisexual species having 44 chromosomes (all telocentric), and that the karyomorph subsequently experienced some minor chromosomal aberrations to produce the karyomorphs ofH. vietnamensis andH. garnotii. The origin of theH. stejnegeri karyotype still remains an open question for future studies.     

Differentiation of Coryne-bacterium diphtheriae of the mitis type found in diphtheria and ozaena. II. The rate of rapidity of glucose fermentation by C. diphtheriae type mitis and C. belfanti

Summary Eighty strains ofC. diphtheriae typemitis and 80C. belfanti strains were tested for the rate of rapidity of glucose fermentation according to the method ofParsons andFrobisher. 90% ofC. diphtheriae mitis strains, in contrast to only 13.7% ofC. belfanti strains, fermented glucose in 1 to 2 days. 76% ofC. belfanti strains fermented glucose in 3 to 4 days, whereas some strains needed 8 to 9 days to complete the fermentation. So the results of this test revealed next to that of nitrate reduction, a further difference between the strains ofC. diphtheriae typemitis found in diphtheria and ozaena.     

Numerical analyses of karyotypic diversity in the genusEupatorium (Compositae,Eupatorieae)

Somatic metaphase karyotypes were analyzed for 22 diploid species ofEupatorium. The karyotypic comparisons were made using two indices: minimal chromosomal distance (MCD), measuring overall dissimilarities, and chromosomal identity (CI), measuring number of morphologically identical chromosomes between species. The resulting phenograms from these indices are largely compatible. The 22 species cluster into four groups in the phenogram using MCD, and the grouping corresponds well with morphology or geographic distribution into the three N. American groupsEutrochium, Uncasia, Traganthes, and the E. Asian group. These results suggest that karyotypes in perennialEupatorium have been considerably conservative and changed not through large chromosomal mutations but through small chromosomal mutations gradually fixed.     

The karyotypes ofMicroseris bigelovii,M. douglasii,andM. pygmaea (Asteraceae)

The karyotypes of the three annuals,Microseris bigelovii, M. douglasii andM. pygmaea, consist of 2n = 18, small, submetacentric chromosomes. Length, centromere position, C-banding pattern, silver staining of NOR's, and the use of base specific fluorochromes, allow the identification of four of the nine chromosome pairs. The banding pattern ofM. bigelovii andM. pygmaea is identical, but intraspecific differences are found between strains ofM. douglasii.     

Karyomorphological analyses and heterochromatin characteristics disclose phyletic relationships among 2n = 32 and 2n = 36 species ofOrchis (Orchidaceae)

The karyotypes of eight taxa ofOrchis L. with 2n = 32 and 2n = 36 have been investigated using morphometrical measurements following staining with Feulgen, Giemsa (C-banding) and the DNA specific fluorochrome Hoechst 33258. The karyotypes ofO. coriophora subsp.fragrans, andO. papilionacea proved to be the most asymmetrical, whileO. morio andO. longicornu exhibited the most symmetrical karyotypes. Using C-banding and the fluorochrome H33258 only the taxa with high asymmetry indices showed the presence of differentially stained chromatin bands. In most chromosomes heterochromatin bands were present at the telomeric position. The present results seem to indicate that the analysed species do not form a homogeneous group and further subdivisions are possible, which, in turn, do not always correlate with divisions based on morphological characters. Both karyomorphology and heterochromatin distribution coincide in indicating a possible evolutionary pathway.     

Karyotype and C-banding inTrigonella sectionFoenumgraecum (Fabaceae)

The six species of the sectionFoenum-graecum ofTrigonella have the same chromosome number, 2n = 16.T. gladiata andT. cariensis have fairly symmetrical karyotypes, while those ofT. foenum-graecum, T. berythea, T. macrorrhyncha andT. cassia are asymmetrical. C-bands are present in all six species but the number of bands and their positive vary considerably among the species. The karyotype evidence suggests that none of the available species of theFoenum-graecum section can be considered as the wild progenitor of fenugreek.