Morphological Differentiation and Possible Origin of B Chromosomes in Natural Brazilian Population of Astyanax Scabripinnis (PISCES, CHARACIDAE)

Specimens of Astyanax scabripinnisfrom three different altitudes (1920, 1800 and 700?m) along the Ribeirão Grande stream in the Campos do Jordão region (São Paulo State, Brazil) were investigated. The same diploid number, 2n?=?50, was detected in the three populations, with the following karyotypic constitution: 6M, 22SM, 10ST and 12A. The populations located at 1920 and 1800?m altitude presented a high incidence of B chromosomes varying in number (0–2), shape (meta- and submetacentrics), size (large and small) and sex-related frequency (they were more frequent among females). The two morphologically variant B chromosomes probably evolved from a metacentric macrochromosome, which is the most commonly observed B chromosome in several A. scabripinnispopulations.     

Occurrence of macro B chromosomes in Astyanax scabripinnis paranae (Pisces,Characiformes, Characidae)

B chromosomes occur in several Neotropical fish species. Cytogenetic analysis of 27 specimens (15 females and 12 males) of Astyanax scabripinnis paranae from the Araquá river (a small headwater tributary of the Tietê river) shows that this population has 2n=50 chromosomes (4M+30 SM+4ST+12A), two chromosome pairs with NORs and conspicuous C-band positive blocks in the terminal position of the long arm of four chromosome pairs. In this population, eight females presented 2n=51 chromosomes and the extra chromosome was a large metacentric similar in size and morphology to the first chromosome pair in the karotype. This accessory chromosome is entirely heterochromatic in C-banded metaphases and shows a late replication pattern evidenced by BrdU incorporation. There was no significant correlation between the presence of B chromosomes and increased NOR activity at the P>0.05 level. Some aspects related to these B chromosomes are discussed.     

B Chromosome Polymorphism in the Fish, Astyanax scabripinnis

Four populations of Astyanax scabripinnis (Pisces, Characidae) were analyzed for B chromosome features. This species contains a metacentric macrochromosome (B_M), similar in size to the first chromosome of the karyotype, besides two variant forms, a large submetacentric (B_SM) and a small metacentric (B_m), both showing a reduced frequency. These variant forms were observed only in the populations from the Campos do Jordão region (São Paulo State, Brazil), although not present in all the populations sampled. The three B chromosome forms are heterochromatic and at least the B_M and B_SM are also GC-rich, as evidenced by C-banding and chromomycin A₃ staining. In spite of the morphological similarity between the B_M form and the first chromosome pair, they differ in the G-banding pattern, which does not favor a possible relationship among these chromosomes. FISH with a telomeric DNA probe evidenced signals on the terminal region of all chromosomes, including the Bs. Interstitial telomeric bands, indicative of some chromosomal rearrangements such as translocation or tandem fusion in the origin of the B chromosomes, were not observed. B_SM and B_m are probable derivative B chromosome forms from an ancestral B_M chromosome, showing a restricted occurrence and low frequency in the populations.     

伞形科3个种5个居群的核型分析

对伞形科前胡属(PeucedanumL.)2个种以及羌活属(NotopterygiumH.Boiss.)1个种3个居群的染色体数目和核型进行了研究。研究表明,它们的染色体数目均为2n=22,核型公式可分别表示为长前胡:2n=2x=22=22 m(1 SAT),属1A型;松潘前胡:2n=2x=22=20 m 2 sm,属2A型;宽叶羌活的3个居群分别是:马边大风顶居群1为2n=2x=22=6 m 12 sm 4 st,属2A型;马边大风顶居群2为2n=2x=22=12 m 4 sm 6 st,属2B型;屏山老君山居群为2n=2x=22=4 m 14 sm 4 st,属2A型。其中长前胡和松潘前胡的染色体数目和核型为首次报道。     

Comparative cytogenetics and molecular phylogeography in the group astyanax altiparanae--Astyanax aff. bimaculatus (Teleostei, Characidae)

The genus Astyanax comprises small characin fish of the neotropical region. The so-called 'yellow-tailed characins' compose one of the most widely distributed Astyanax groups. A. altiparanae and A. aff. bimaculatus, are evolutionarily closely related and commonly found in several Brazilian hydrographic basins. In the present work, chromosomal data of specimens of A. altiparanae and A. aff. bimaculatus from 4 hydrographic basins in the states of S?o Paulo (Upper Tietê, Paranapanema, Ribeira de Iguape) and Rio de Janeiro (Guapimirim) are shown. All the populations showed 50 chromosomes, with different karyotypic formula. Although only a single Ag-NOR bearing chromosome pair was observed, all populations possess multiple cistrons of 18S rDNA. FISH with the 5S rDNA probe showed single signals at the interstitial position of one metacentric chromosome pair. C-bands are distributed in the terminal and interstitial regions of several chromosomes. However, the As-51 satDNA are frugally located in a few chromosomes of fishes from Upper Tietê, Paranapanema and Guapimirim Rivers, being absent in individuals of A. aff. bimaculatus from Ribeira de Iguape River basin. Beside these 4 populations, molecular phylogeography studies were also performed in individuals from Middle and Lower Tietê River basin and from 2 additional collection sites in the Paranapanema and Ribeira de Iguape River basins. The phylogeographic analysis using 2 mtDNA regions (totalizing 1.314 bp of ND2 and ATPase6/8 genes) of 8 populations of the group of 'yellow-tailed characins' from 3 major hydrographic basins showed structuring of populations, suggesting a correlation between chromosomal (nuclear) and molecular (mitochondrial) data.     

Delimiting the Origin of a B Chromosome by FISH Mapping,Chromosome Painting and DNA Sequence Analysis in Astyanax paranae (Teleostei,Characiformes)

Supernumerary (B) chromosomes have been shown to contain a wide variety of repetitive sequences. For this reason, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) is a useful tool for ascertaining the origin of these genomic elements, especially when combined with painting from microdissected B chromosomes. In order to investigate the origin of B chromosomes in the fish species Astyanax paranae, these two approaches were used along with PCR amplification of specific DNA sequences obtained from the B chromosomes and its comparison with those residing in the A chromosomes. Remarkably, chromosome painting with the one-arm metacentric B chromosome probe showed hybridization signals on entire B chromosome, while FISH mapping revealed the presence of H1 histone and 18S rDNA genes symmetrically placed in both arms of the B chromosome. These results support the hypothesis that the B chromosome of A. paranae is an isochromosome. Additionally, the chromosome pairs Nos. 2 or 23 are considered the possible B chromosome ancestors since both contain syntenic H1 and 18S rRNA sequences. The analysis of DNA sequence fragments of the histone and rRNA genes obtained from the microdissected B chromosomes showed high similarity with those obtained from 0B individuals, which supports the intraspecific origin of B chromosomes in A. paranae. Finally, the population hereby analysed showed a female-biased B chromosome presence suggesting that B chromosomes in this species could influence sex determinism.     

Karyological observations on Turbellaria Proseriata: karyometric analysis ofMonocelis fusca,M. lineata (Monocelididae) andParotoplana macrostyla (Otoplanidae)

A karyometric analysis of the chromosome set of the marine turbellariansMonocelis fusca, M. lineata andParotoplana macrostyla has been carried out. The karyotype of the twoMonocelis species investigated (2n=6) is formed by three pairs of small and similarly sized chromosomes: InM. fusca, chromosome 1 is metacentric, chromosome 2 acrocentric and chromosome 3 is subtelocentric.M. lineata also presents one pair of metacentric chromosomes (chromosome 2), while chromosomes 1 and 3 are submetacentric.P. macrostyla (2n=12) reveals two pairs of large metacentric and four pairs of small chromosomes, three of which are metacentric, whereas the last is subtelocentric.     

中国西南地区鹿药属4种15居群核型研究

对产于中国西南部的鹿药属（Maianthemum）4种植物进行了细胞学研究,包括染色体数目,多倍化,非整倍性和随体染色体,以及核型不对称性和核型进化。结果表明：1）除了在云南丽江采集的Maianthemum tatsienensis染色体数目为2n=72之外,其余的居群全为2n=36;2）核型在居群间存在变异,特别是在具中部染色体和近中部染色体的数目以及随体染色体的数目和位置上。此外,M．nanchuanense和M．szechuanicum的核型是首次报道,B染色体也是首次在该属中发现。我们推测鹿药属的进化方式包括频繁的染色体畸变以及不同水平上的多倍化,而中国西南部是该属的分化中心。     

Robertsonian karyotype variation in wild house mice from Rhaeto-Lombardia

The European longtailed house mouse (M. m. brevirostris and domesticus) in the Rhaetian Alps and Lombardia presents a complex system of Robertsonian (Rb) variation and karyotype diversity, several adjoining populations homozygous for multiple Rb metacentric chromosomes, sites of coexistence of different Rb types, and zones of hybridization with non-Rb populations. The original "tobacco mouse" is just one of many local Rb variants, such as those from other Alpine areas (e.g., Orobian Alps) or from Central Lombardia, where a relatively large region within which the population is homogeneous for multi-Rb metacentrics is found. The present study is based strictly on material in which the chromosome arms were identified by G-banding, so that karyotypes within the areas under investigation could be compared. Altogether 111 mice were studied.     

Astyanax hastatus Myers, 1928 (Teleostei,Characidae): A new species complex within the genus Astyanax?

Four populations of Astyanax hastatus Myers 1928 from the Guapimirim River basin (Rio de Janeiro State) were analyzed and three distinct cytotypes identified. These cytotypes presented 2n = 50 chromosomes, with 4M+8SM+10ST+28A (Cytotype A), 8M+10SM+14ST+18A (Cytotype B), 6M+8SM+4ST+32A (Cytotype C) and scanty heterochromatin, mainly located throughout pericentromeric regions of several chromosomal pairs. No homologies with the As-51 satellite DNA were observed in the three cytotypes, although all of them presented multiple 18S rDNA sites, as detected by both silver nitrate staining and FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization). The application of the term "species complex" in Astyanax is discussed from a cytotaxonomic viewpoint.     

Chromosomal variability of the field mouse Apodemus agarius (Rodentia, Muridae)

Chromosome sets of 114 Apodemus agrarius mice from 29 localities in Moldova, Ukraine, Siberia, and Far East were studied by means of G-, C-, and NOR-banding. In all populations studied, the Y chromosome was shown to be a medium-size acrocentric chromosome consisting of heterochromatin. Chromosome polymorphism observed in populations from Primorskii krai concerned (1) the morphology of the first two autosome pairs (variants A/A, A/ST, and ST/ST), (2) the number of metacentric chromosomes (from 6 to 8), and (3) heterochromatin localization in the pericentromeric regions of two metacentric chromosome pairs. A karyotype with an additional heterochromatic microchromosome found in all the metaphases studied was described in one mouse from a locality of western Primorye that has not been studied previously. In the karyotype of 15 mice from four populations of Primorye, the pool of nucleolus organizer regions is distributed over three autosome pairs rather than over four, as is the case A. agrarius from Europe. Based on the analysis of literature sources and our own data, the problem of chromosome polymorphism in the field mouse is discussed.     

The B chromosome polymorphism of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans in North Africa. IV. Transmission of rare B chromosome variants

In addition to the principal B chromosome (B(1)) in Moroccan populations of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans, nine B chromosome variants appeared at low frequency. The transmission of five of these rare B chromosome variants through females was analysed in three natural populations. Sixteen controlled crosses provided useful information on the transmission of B(M2), B(M6) and B(M7) in Smir, B(M3) and B(M6) in SO.DE.A. (Société de Développement Agricole lands near Ksar-el-Kebir city), and B(M2) and B(M10) in Mechra, all located in Morocco. Since six female parents carried two different B variants, a total of 22 progeny analyses could be studied. Intraindividual variation in B transmission rate (k(B)) was observed among the successive egg pods in 26.7 % of the females, but this variation did not show a consistent temporal pattern. Only the B(M2) and B(M6) variants in Smir showed net drive, although variation was high among crosses, especially for B(M2). These two variants are thus good candidates for future regenerations (the replacement of a neutralized B, B(1) in this case, by a new driving variant, B(M2) or B(M6)) in Smir, the northern population where the B polymorphism is presumably older. The analysis of all crosses performed in the three populations, including those reported previously for the analysis of B(1) transmission, showed that the largest variance in k(B) among crosses stands at the individual level, and not at population or type of B levels. The implications of these findings for the occurrence of possible regeneration processes in Moroccan populations are discussed.     

Karyotype variability in species of the genus Zephyranthes Herb. (Amaryllidaceae�CHippeastreae)

In this work, the cytotaxonomic implications of the chromosomal characterization of cultivated and native Zephyranthes species described in northeastern Brazil were studied. All individuals had karyotype formed by a set of metacentric chromosomes, in addition to submetacentric and acrocentric chromosomes. In Zephyranthes robusta, 2n?=?12 was observed and karyotype with formula?4M?+?2SM in somatic cells, representing the most symmetric karyotype among the investigated species. Z.?sylvatica showed three different chromosome complement numbers: 2n?=?12 with formula?1M?+?5SM, 2n?=?12?+?1B with 1M?+?5SM?+?(1B), and 2n?=?18 formed by cracks. The cultivated species Z.?rosea Lindl. presented 2n?=?24 with 4M?+?7SM?+?1A, however Z.?grandiflora Lindl. showed the same chromosome number with 2M?+?5SM?+?5A. Zephyranthes aff. rosea Lindl. presented 2n?=?25 with one small metacentric forming a crack in the fourth metacentric pair. Z.?brachyandra has 2n?=?24?+?(1B) and formula?4M?+?3SM?+?5A?+?(1B). Z.?candida Herb. presented 2n?=?38 and karyotype formula?9M?+?10SM. In Habranthus itaobinus numerical variation was observed, with the majority of populations showing a chromosome complement composed of 2n?=?44?+?1B with 5M?+?12SM?+?5A?+?(1B), or 2n?=?44?+?3B in a single population. Mechanisms involved in the formation of these karyotypes from chromosomal imbalance data are discussed. Taken together, data from this study only partially confirm previous counts for epithets and further enhance the cytological variability data previously reported for the genus.     

中国木兰属部分种的核型分析

对我国木兰属（Ｍａｇｎｏｌｉａ）１２个种的核型进行了分析,ｘ＝１９,厚朴、凹叶厚朴、红花山玉兰、山玉兰、天目木兰、夜合为二倍体,２ｎ＝２ｘ＝３８;紫玉兰、玉兰、玉堂春为四倍体,２ｎ＝４ｘ＝７６;乐东木兰、荷花玉兰、狭叶荷花玉兰为六倍体,２ｎ＝６ｘ＝１１４,该属具有属内多倍体（次生多倍化）。核型分析结果表明：木兰属种间核型差异较小,大部分为中部着丝粒染色体（ｍ）,少数为具近中部着丝粒染色体（ｓｍ）,二倍体种中只有一对具近端部着丝粒染色体（ｓｔ）,其核型均为２Ｂ型。     

Sex chromosome variability outlines the pathway to the chromosomal evolution in Microtus thomasi (Rodentia, Arvicolinae)

The underground vole Microtus thomasi , a Balkan endemic, displays remarkable variability in sex chromosome size and morphology. In the present study, we demonstrate this variability in two of its chromosomal races with 2 n  = 44 (i.e. 'thomasi' and 'atticus') with the use of C-banding on a sample of 189 individuals from 50 localities of Greece. In 'thomasi', five different, acrocentric X chromosome variants (X₀–X₄) are described, which differ significantly in size, due to heterochromatin addition. Also, three Y chromosome variants are described (Y₀–Y₂), ranging in size from very small (Y₀) to large (Y₂). The 'atticus' race displays three subtelocentric variants of the X chromosome (X_st0–X_st2), which differ in arm length ratio and heterochromatin content. In Peloponnesus, males of this race exhibit Y₀ and Y₁, whereas, in Attiki (south-east Sterea Ellada), males carry the small metacentric, Y_m. Overall, there is a trend towards sex chromosome size increase in a south to north direction. We propose that the last glaciation must have restricted M. thomasi to a refugium in southern Peloponnesus. During post-glacial colonization, limited northward expansion of its distribution area must have been accompanied by consecutive heterochromatin addition, which is proven today by comparatively larger sex chromosomes in the northern populations of 'thomasi' and 'atticus' in Greece than in their southern populations.  © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2009, 96 , 685–695.     

A single, recent origin of the accessory B chromosome of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans

B chromosomes are dispensable chromosomes found in >2000 eukaryotic species, usually behaving as genomic parasites. Most B chromosomes seem to be made up of the same kind of DNA sequences present in the A chromosomes. This sequence similarity makes it difficult to obtain specific molecular probes that may permit B-presence diagnosis without cytogenetic analysis. We have developed a sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker for B chromosomes in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans, which specifically amplifies a 1510-bp DNA fragment exclusively in B-carrying individuals. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and fiber FISH analyses showed that this marker is a tandemly repeated DNA sequence closely intermingled with 45S rDNA. PCR reactions showed the presence of SCAR-like sequences in the A chromosomes, but in two separate fragments, supporting the intraspecific origin of B chromosomes in this species. SCAR marker DNA sequence showed to be identical in B chromosome variants from several localities from Spain and Morocco, and it was very similar to those found in B chromosome variants from Greece and Armenia. This strongly suggests that this sequence was already present in the ancestral B chromosome of this species. In addition, the scarce sequence variation observed among several B variants from very distant populations suggests either a functional constraint or, more likely, a recent and unique origin for B chromosomes in this species.     

大林姬鼠的核型与B染色体研究

采用骨髓染色体制片法 ,对分布于吉林长白山、山东泰山和陕西秦岭的大林姬鼠的染色体组型、C -带、G -带和减数分裂的染色体行为进行了观察分析。发现 3个地区标本的染色体数目存在着显著差异。东北标本的 2n =48～ 51 ,A组染色体为 48条 ,均由端着丝粒染色体组成 ,同时具有 1～ 3条B染色体 ,其形态为中着丝粒染色体 ;山东标本的 2n =53～ 62 ,A染色体同样为 48条端着丝粒染色体组成 ,具 5～ 1 4条B染色体 ,其中 1条为较大的中着丝粒染色体 ,其余为小的中着丝粒和点状染色体。秦岭标本 2n =48～ 49,A染色体为 48条端着丝粒染色体 ,具 1条形态很小的端着丝粒B染色体。3地标本的B染色体均存在个体间和个体内变异。长白山标本B染色体的细胞克隆数目为 1～ 2 ,泰山标本为 1～ 3。在 3地标本中 ,中着丝粒B染色体呈现C -带阴性 ,点状B染色体呈中度深染。通过对减数分裂的观察 ,多数B染色体是以单价体的形式存在。中国长白山种群的B染色体数目和形态与朝鲜种群相似。与欧洲种群存在着显著差异。泰山种群的B染色体数目和形态与朝鲜种群及欧洲种群均存在显著差异。泰山种群与秦岭标本同属华北亚种 ,但它们的B染色体形态和数目差别很大。     

Probable evolutionary mechanism underlying octanol dehydrogenase isozyme patterns in the genus drosophila

Summary A comparative species study of octanol dehydrogenase (ODH) isozyme patterns of members of the genusDrosophila and six related genera has shown a rough correlation of these with taxonomic grouping at the level of subgenus or section within the subgeneraPholadoris, Sophophora, andDrosophila. Extensive polymorphism of ODH patterns occurs in thequinaria section of the subgenusDrosophila. In polymorphic strains ofD. pellewae andD. metzii, ODH pattern types of single females were shown to occur in frequencies expected on the hypothesis of a Hardy-Weinberg distribution of morphs depending on alleles at a single locus. However, patterns of homozygous B and A variants extracted from such populations differ from those expected if variants are due to alleles at a structural locus and indicate that such variants differ in alleles affecting the levels of particular isozymes. ODH patterns of monomorphic species strikingly resemble those of homozygous B, D, or A variants extracted from polymorphic populations ofD. pellewae, D. metzii, orD. albirostris which have been studied genetically by Pipkin (1968a, 1969) and Ogonji (1971). Based on these findings and previous work indicating that the ODH molecule is a polymer, an hypothesis is proposed that species differences in ODH patterns depend on differential activity of several ODH structural genes.This work was supported by NIH grant GM 18409-01 and NSF grant GB 8779.     

The polytene chromosomes of Nilodorum biroi (Kieffer) (Diptera: Chironomidae)

The polytene chromosomes of the salivary glands of Nilodorum biroi (Kieffer) comprise three long metacentric or submetacentric chromosomes. It is considered that this is a derived condition from a diploid number of 8, by the tandem fusion of a small acrocentric element (C) to a metacentric chromosome (AB). A standard chromosome map for the genus is provided and the chromosomal polymorphism of Indian and Australian populations is described.     

Sympatric occurrence of three cytotypes and four morphological types of B chromosomes of Astyanax scabripinnis (Pisces, Characiformes) in the River Ivaí Basin, state of Paraná, Brazil

Chromosomes of Astyanax scabripinnis from the Tatupeba stream, Ivaí basin (state of Paraná, Brazil), were analyzed. Astyanax scabripinnis population presents 3 different diploid numbers (2n = 46, 48 and 50) and B chromosomes in each cytotype. Eighty per cent of the females among individuals of cytotype I (2n = 50) has a metacentric B macrochromosome, whereas three different types of B chromosomes were identified in individuals of cytotype II (2n = 48). Cytotype III (2n = 46) showed two B chromosomes of different morphologic types (metacentric macrochromosomes and acrocentric) in all specimens and cells analyzed. Constitutive heterochromatin pattern for the three cytotypes showed weak markings in centromeric regions and conspicuous blocks in the telomere regions of ST and A chromosomes. Whereas C-banding showed that B chromosomes were totally or partially heterochromatic, a discussion on their behavior and origin was also undertaken.