Complex sex-determining mechanisms in three species of South American grasshoppers (Orthoptera,Acridoidea)

The karyotype of three species of South American grasshoppers are studied in this paper. Leiotettix sanguineus has two chromosome races, one of them with 2n=23 and an XO sex mechanism and the other, as far as we know limited to the Cerro Chato population, with 2n=22 and an XY sex mechanism. Leiotettix politus has two kinds of individuals, one with 2n=14 and XY sex chromosomes and the other 2n=13 and an X₁X₂Y mechanism. Dichroplus dubius presents 2n=21 and an X₁X₂Y sex chromosomes. One of the three specimens studied shows aberrant behaviour in the meiotic process.     

C-heterochromatin variation in the genus Eumigus (Orthoptera: Pamphagoidea)

Eumigus punctatus, E. monticulus and E. cucullatus all have 2n=19 and similar chromosome morphology, all the elements being telocentric. In E. cucullatus there are C-bands in all chromosomes, but not in E. monticulus. The possible origins of these differences and their cytotaxonomic significance are discussed.     

Patterned disjunction in Drosophila melanogaster. I. Assortment of SPA pol /+ and X,Y in the stock N1

N1 (= Nijmegen 1) D. melanogaster heterozygous for sparkling poliert (4) (= pol, here) were backcrossed as single pairs. When were not selected for departure from 1/1, pol/pol ⁺, many exceptional ratios were observed even though the net for all 67 pairs was approximately one-to-one; in the same experiment a net excess of was observed. In a second experiment were selected for departure from 1/1, pol/pol ⁺ratios. The net pol/pol ⁺ratios became significantly different from the 1/1 expected but the sex ratio approached normal. Lineage of the males in the second experiment were recorded and displayed as pedigrees. These together with tabulated data suggest that in some pairs, one of the four categories pol , pol , pol ⁺, pol ⁺ may be significantly greater or less than 1/4 of the total offspring recovered.     

Sex specific chromosome polymorphisms in the common Indian Krait,Bungarus caeruleus Schneider (Ophidia,Elapidae)

Chromosome analyses of common Indian Krait, B. caeuleus from three geographical regions of India have revealed variable diploid numbers of 43, 44 and 45 in different female individuals but a constant diploid number of 44 in the males. C-banding and in situ hybridization studies, using radio labelled W sex chromosome specific satellite DNA as a probe, have shown that C-banding and sex chromosome associated satellite DNA's are exclusively localised in the W chromosome. The W chromosome is involved in reciprocal translocations either with a medium sized macroautosome or with a microchromosome resulting in a multiple sex chromosome constitution of Z₁Z₁Z₂Z₂/Z₁Z₂W type. In some female individuals dissociation of the W has resulted in multiple W chromosomes, W₁ and W₂. These polymorphisms are uniquely confined to the female sex only. A predominance of polymorphic females, involving particularly the translocation of a medium sized macrochromosome, in all three geeographical regions and the restriction of the females having the original chromosome constitution (ZW) to one geographical region suggests that polymorphic individuals have adaptive flexibility and higher fecundity.     

The chromosomes of the caddis-fly,Glyphotaelius pellucidus (Retzius, 1783) (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae,limnephilinae)

The chromosome number in the caddis-fly,Glyphotaelius pellucidus (Retz.) is: 2n =60, =59; n =30, =29, 30. The sex determining mechanism is XX-XO, the female being the heterogametic sex. The sex element is heteropycnotic at oogonial prometaphase and at oocyte pachytene. There are no chiasmata at oocyte diakinesis, whereas one or two of these occur per bivalent in the male. The smallest bivalent has a delayed pairing at spermatocyte diakinesis.     

Energieregulation und Zeitkoordination der Nahrungsaufnahme einer andinen Kolibriart,Aglaeactis cupripennis

Zusammenfassung Energieregulation und Terminierung der Nahrungsaufnahmen wurden an der andinen KolibriartAglaeactis cupripennis experimentell untersucht (biometrische Daten s. Tab. 1). erzielten eine lineare Nettoenergieakkumulation von 15 210 J±993 SD (n=2); von 16 131 J±2811 (n=4). Der durchschnittliche Nettoenergiegewinn beider Geschlechter war signifikant verschieden. Die Nahrungsaufnahme erfolgte im Sitzen. Die durchschnittliche Länge einer Nahrungsaufnahme betrug bei 7,6 s±5,7 (n=129), bei 5,0 s±3,0 (n=197). Die Korrelation zwischen Nahrungsaufnahmelänge und Körpermasse bei beiden Geschlechtern war signifikant, ebenso eine negative Korrelation zwischen dem Zeitpunkt der Nahrungsaufnahme und der Körpermasse und eine positive Beziehung zwischen aufgenommenem Nahrungsvolumen und Körpermasse (r=0,72; n=6) sowie zwischen der Nahrungsaufnahmelänge und der anschließenden Fastenzeit. Kein Zusammenhang ergab sich zwischen der Länge einer Nahrungsaufnahme und der vorausgegangenen Fastenzeit. Die Flugaktivitäten sind bei mit dem aufgenommenen Nektarvolumen korreliert, nicht jedoch bei . Dies deutet auf unterschiedliches Territorialverhalten hin. Bei experimentell erzwungener Nahrungsaufnahme im Schwirrflug war die Nahrungsaufnahme signifikant kürzer als im Sitzen; auch nahm der Versuchsvogel dabei deutlich weniger Nektar pro Mahlzeit auf.Die getesteten Kolibris zeigten einen proportional gesteuerten Energiekontrollmechanismus, der sich ab einem unteren Grenzwert linear reguliert.

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Energy regulation and temporal patterning of feeding in an Andean humming-bird,Aglaeactis cupripennis

Summary Energy accumulation and timing of feeding in the Andean hummingbirdAglaeactis cupripennis (body mass and other mensural characteristics see Tab. 1) were studied under laboratory conditions: photoperiod LD 12:12, ambient temperature 17°C, rel. humidity 70%–80%; nectar consisted of a 0.5 mol sucrose solution available ad lib. Each bird was individually tested in an aviary. achieved a linearly accumulated net energy gain [=(energy consumed — energy excreted) — energy expended] of 15 210 J±993 SD (n=2); gained 16 131 J±2811 (n=4). The average net energy accumulated in both sexes was significantly different (p<0.01). When the birds were allowed to feed while perching, as they normally do in the wild, the average feeding bout lastd in 7.6s±5.7 (n=129), n 5.0s±3.0 (n=197). The correlation between feeding bout length and body mass in and was significantly different. There was a significant negative correlation between the time of feeding and body mass (p<0.01) and a positive relationship between nectar volume consumed and body mass (r=0.72, n=6). A significant correlation was found between feeding bout length and subsequent fasting period (p<0.05); no relationship was observed between feeding bout length and previous fasting period. Time spent flying (forward flight and hovering) was correlated with consumed nectar volume in only. We assume different territorial behaviour patterns in both sexes. In a bird forced to hover for food time spent feeding was significantly shorter than at perching (p<0.01); further, the bird consumed less nectar per feeding bout than at perching.Our data onAglaeactis cupripennis suggest a proportional control of energy regulation producing linear responses below a certain set point.

     

Identification of Haynaldia villosa chromosomes added to wheat using a sequential C-banding and genomic in situ hybridization technique

Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) offers a convenient and effective method for cytological detection, but can not determine the identity of the chromosomes involved. We integrated C-banding with GISH to identify Haynaldia villosa chromosomes in a wheat background. All chromosomes of H. villosa showed C-bands, either in telomeric regions or in both telomeric and centromeric regions, which allowed unequivocal identification of each H. villosa chromosome. The seven pairs of H. villosa chromosomes were differentiated as 1–7 according to their characteristic C-bands. Using a sequential C-banding and GISH technique, we have analyzed somatic cells of F₃ plants from the amphiploid Triticum aestivum-H. villosa x Yangmai 158 hybrids. Three plants (94009/5-4,94009/5-8 and 94009/5-9) were shown to contain H. villosa chromosome(s). 94009/5-4 (2n = 45) had three H. villosa chromosomes (2, 3 and 4); 94009/5-8 (2n = 45) possessed one chromosome 4 and a pair of chromosome 5, and 94009/5-9 (2n = 43) was found to have one chromosome 6 of H. villosa. The combination of GISH with C-banding described here provides a direct comparison of the cytological and molecular landmarks. Such a technique is particularly useful for identifying and localizing alien chromatin and DNA sequences in plants.     

Multiple sex-chromosomes in the common Indian Krait,Bungarus caeruleus Schneider

The highly poisonous common Indian Krait, Bungarus caeruleus of the family Elapidae has 2n =44 and 2n =43. There is a sharp difference in size between macro and microchromosomes. The number of macrochromosomes is 24 in males and 23 in females whereas there are 20 microchromosomes in both the sexes. The difference in number of macro-chromosomes in the two sexes is explainable on the basis of translocation of a macro-autosome to the W chromosome resulting in a multiple sex-chromosome constitution of Z₁Z₁Z₂Z₂/Z₁Z₂W-types. Autoradiographic studies using H³-TdR show that the W is late replicating except for the translocated part which finishes its replication along with the macroautosomes. This is the first example of a multiple sex-chromosome complex in a vertebrate with female heterogamety.     

Analysis of chromatin-associated fiber arrays

The distribution of constitutive heterochromatin has been investigated in four chromosomal races of the grasshopper Caledia captiva (2n= 23 /24 ) by the C-banding technique. Each of the four races was found to have a distinctive banding pattern which is associated with the inter-racial differences in chromosomal rearrangements. — The Ancestral race has a telocentric chromosome complement with large procentric C-bands which are structurally double on six pairs of chromosomes. The centromeres are unstained. — The General Purpose race has a C-banding pattern very similar to that seen in other Acridine grasshoppers with the majority of its chromosomes showing a centromeric localisation of the bands. — The two southern races, which show a complex polymorphism for presumed pericentric inversions on all twelve chromosomes, also show an unusually high level of interstitial and terminal C-bands. The different locations and numbers of these bands allow unambiguous identification of all the chromosome pairs within the complement. — In two cases, there is good evidence to indicate that a C-band redistribution between acrocentric and metacentric chromosomes has occurred by pericentric inversion. Furthermore, C-band variation on the long arm of the metacentric X-chromosome indicates the presence of a large paracentric inversion. This double inversion system has involved over 95% of the X-chromosome. — The interstitial and terminal C-bands probably have not resulted from heterochromatin movement within the complement but, more likely, have arisen by saltatory duplication of pre-existing sequences on the chromosome. — A new nomenclature system for banded chromosomes is proposed which allows most kinds of chromosomal restructuring and rearrangement to be adequately enumerated.     

Chromosome banding in Amphibia. XV. Two types of Y chromosomes and heterochromatin hypervariabilty inGastrotheca pseustes (Anura,Hylidae)

The chromosomes of the newly discovered South American marsupial frogGastrotheca pseustes were analyzed by conventional methods and by various banding techniques. This species is characterized by XY/XX sex chromosomes and the existence of two different morphs of Y chromosomes. Whereas in type A males the XY^A chromosomes are still homomorphic, in type B males the Y^B chromosome displays a large heterochromatic region at the long arm telomere which is absent in the X. In male meiosis, the homomorphic XY^A chromosomes exhibit the same pairing configuration as the autosomal bivalents. On the other hand, the heteromorphic XY^B chromosomes form a sex bivalent by pairing their short arm telomeres in a characteristic end-to-end arrangement. Analysis of the karyotypes by C-banding and DNA base pair-specific fluorochromes reveals enormous interindividual size variability of the autosomal heterochromatin.     

Dihaploids of Elymus from the interspecific crosses E. dolichatherus x E. tibeticus and E. brevipes x E. panormitanus

Summary Dihaploids (n=2x=14, SY) of two Elymus species, i.e., E. dolichatherus (Keng) Löve (2n=4x=28, SSYY) and E. brevipes (Keng) Löve (2n=4x=28, SSYY), were obtained from the interspecific hybrid combinations E. dolichatherus () x E. tibeticus (Meld.) G. Singh () and E. brevipes () x E. panormitanus (Parl.) Tzvelev (). The dihaploids were probably formed through selective elimination of male parental chromosomes in early embryo development. Meiotic chromosome behavior was studied in E. dolichatherus, E. brevipes, and their dihaploids. The two parental Elymus species had regular meioses with predominantly ring bivalent formation. A low frequency of homoeologous chromosome pairing was observed, with an average of 0.81 bivalents and 0.03 trivalents in the dihaploid of E. dolichatherus, and 0.26 bivalents in the dihaploid of E. brevipes. Up to two chromatid bridges accompanied by small fragments were present at anaphase I of the E. dolichatherus dihaploid. It is concluded from this study that: (i) both E. dolichatherus and E. brevipes are allotetraploid species; (ii) a low affinity exists between the S and Y genomes of the two Elymus species.     

Chromosome polymorphism in the Italian newt,Triturus italicus

A chromosomal variation, changing shape and C-banding pattern of chromosome XII of Triturus italicus was detected among the offspring of two F₁ hybrid families of T. italicus × T. vulgaris meridionalis . In both families a number of individuals appeared to have a metacentric instead of the expected subtelocentric chromosome XII of T. italicus. — Investigations in three well separated localities in the range of the species showed the polymorphism to have a wide distribution and to be part of a complex pattern involving at least two inversions and (presumably) deficiencies of large C-bands. At meiosis, the shape of bivalent XII, and the location and frequency of chiasmata in the bivalent varied with the karyomorph involved. It is suggested that large rearrangements may still play an important role in the karyological evolution of Triturus.     

Different hybrid effects in reciprocal crosses betweenChironomus thummi thummi andCh. th. piger including spontaneous chromsome aberrations and sterility

Hybrids from reciprocal erosses between twoChironomus thummi thummi andCh. th. piger laboratory stocks show four abnormalities in comparison to the parental stocks. One cross direction (Ch. th. thummi x Ch. th. piger ) is characterized by chromosome aberrations, reduced hatchability and malformations, whereas in reciprocal hybrids both sexes are sterile. Sterility is the consequence of rudimentary or non developed gonads.InCh. th. thummi x Ch. th. piger crosses chromosome aberrations were analysed in salivary gland nuclei. These aberrations are all somatic in origin, and they are induced during the first 40 h of embryonic development, prior to the onset of polytenization. The chromosomes of both subspecies are equally affected. In all four chromosomes breaks occur preferentially at specific regions. Reduced hatchability and malformations are presumably caused by chromosome mutations because within egg-masses a correlation exists between the rate of salivary gland chromosome aberrations and the rates of hatchability and malformations.     

Über den Eidimorphismus und die Oogenese von Dinophilus gyrociliatus (Archiannelida)

Zusammenfassung Dinophilus gyrociliatus bildet zwei Oocytentypen, einen größeren, aus dem hervorgehen (-Oocyte) und einen kleineren, der sich zu entwickelt (-Oocyte). Diese beiden Oocytentypen sind von frühen Stadien der Vitellogenese an durch ihr unterschiedliches Größenwachstum zu unterscheiden. Da bei Oogonien und prävitellogenen Oocyten keine zwei unterschiedlichen Zelltypen festzustellen sind, muß man annehmen, daß die Differenzierung in - und -Oocyten in einem zwischen der Prävitellogenese- und der Vitellogenesephase gelegenen Übergangsstadium beginnt. Während der Prävitellogenesephase finden Zellverschmelzungen statt, aber es konnten keine Beziehungen zwischen der Fusion von Oocyten und der späteren Differenzierung nachgewiesen werden.Die -Oocyte beginnt schon auf einem frühen Stadium der Vitellogenese mit der Produktion von Mucopolysaccharid-Granula, die -Oocyte erst später. Diese Granula bilden nach der Ablage der Eier die Ei- oder die Kokonhülle.Die -Oocyte bildet größere Proteindottergranula als die kleinere -Oocyte. Eine Trennung zweier Zellsorten nach Granulagrößen läßt sich schon auf dem Übergangsstadium durchführen. Der absolute RNS-Gehalt der reifen -Oocyte liegt wesentlich über dem der -Oocyte; dagegen ist die Konzentration der RNS in der -Oocyte höher. Die RNS-Synthese verläuft in beiden Oocytentypen parallel zur Volumenzunahme und dauert bis zum Ende der Vitellogenesephase.

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Egg dimorphism and oogenesis in the archiannelid Dinophilus gyrociliatus

Summary Dinophilus gyrociliatus produces two types of oocytes, a big, female producing -oocyte, and a smaller, male-producing -oocyte. They may be distinguished by their different volume from the beginning of the vitellogenic phase. Neither oogonia nor previtellogenic oocytes show two types of cells, and the beginning of differentiation in -oocytes and -oocytes has to be located in a connecting stage after the previtellogenic and before the vitellogenic phase. On previtellogenic stages the cells fuse and form bigger ones, but there is no connection to be found with the differentiation of the egg cells.The -oocyte starts the production of mucopolysaccharid granules at an early vitellogenic stage; the -oocyte does so only at later stages. These granules form the egg capsule after the eggs have been laid.The -oocyte contains bigger protein yolk granules than the smaller -oocyte. Already on the connecting stage it is possible to distinguish two groups of cells by the size of their granules.The ribonucleic acid content in the -oocyte exceeds greatly that of the -oocyte. The RNA-concentration, however, is higher in the latter one. During the vitellogenic stages the rate of RNA-synthesis in either type of oocytes parallels the increase in cell volume, the synthesis lasting up to the end of the vitellogenic phase.

Für die Aufenthalte in Lille standen mir ein Forschungsstipendium der französischen Regierung sowie eine Beihilfe der Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer der Universität des Saarlandes zur Verfügung.     

Experimental hybridization within the genus Triturus (Urodela: Salamandridae)

Spermatogenesis in the F₁ hybrid (2n=24=12 +12 ) between the closely related newt species T. cristatus carnifex and T. marmoratus was apparently normal up to pachytene. Many unpaired chromosomes were present at diplotene and a typical diakinesis was lacking. Primary spermatocytes at meta-and meta-anaphase contained up to 12 regular intergenomal bivalents and a corresponding number of univalents when less then 12 II. Most chiasmata were terminal or subterminal, some intercalary. Chiasmata between corresponding heterospecific chromosomes can be reported as true: real crossing over has taken place, proving the presence of primary chromosomal homologies between the 2 sets of the parental species. Evidence for recombination is based on the segregation of particular markers (i.e., subterminal C-bands and NORs) observed in certain chromosomes at metaphase II. One chromatid of single chromosomes can show the T. cristatus phenotype and the other the T. marmoratus phenotype. A few primary spermatocytes contain a certain number of irregular associations (intragenomal or intrahaploid bivalents, irregular intergenomal bivalents, chromosome multivalents) joined by chiasmata which can be defined as anomalous. Other abnormalities concern the occurrence of interlocked bivalents which occasionally show an anomalous exchange between heterologous chromatids. — Cytogenetic criteria useful to evaluate the taxonomic relationships between different species have been discussed as well as some possible trends in chromosome evolution and speciation within the genus Triturus.     

Zur Brutbiologie des Seggenrohrs?ngers(Acrocephalus paludicola)

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Beobachtungen ausgewertet, die in den letzten Jahren in einer Seggenrohrsängerpopulation der Mark Brandenburg gesammelt wurden. Brutbiotop ist eine Großseggenwiese. und haben getrennte Reviere, wobei sich -Reviere, -Reviere und auch - und -Reviere zum Teil sehr erheblich überlagern. Keinem konnte ein bestimmtes zugeordnet werden, sie leben also in Keinehe. versuchen, aus der Nestnähe zu vertreiben. Aggressive Handlungen zwischen benachbarten konnten nicht festgestellt werden. Ihre Singflüge unterscheiden sich von denen der Schilfrohrsänger. 28 Eier maßen im Durchschnitt 17,76×13,14 mm. Nur die brüten und Füttern. Die durchschnittliche Fütterungsfrequenz liegt bei 19,7 Fütterungen pro Stunde, die tägliche Aktivitätszeit der ist im Juli etwa 1 Stunde kürzer als im Juni. 13–14 Tage nach dem Schlüpfen verlassen die Jungen das Nest. In der Nestlingsnahrung ist bei Julibruten der hohe Heuschreckenanteil auffällig. Nachdem die Jungen selbständig sind, streunen sie im Brutbiotop umher. Zweitbruten sind sehr wahrscheinlich, konnten aber noch nicht nachgewiesen werden.

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Summary Observations made during the last years on a population of the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola) in Brandenburg, Germany, gave the following results:In a sedge meadow, withCarex elata the dominant species, males and females ofAcrocephalus paludicola held separate territories, those of males as well of females sometimes considerably overlapping territories held by other individuals of the same or the opposite sex. In no case a certain male could be considered as having formed a firm pair bond with a certain female: on the contrary, the relations between the sexes were very loose, and probably the birds are even promiscuous. Females try to chase away males from the neighbourhood of their nests. Aggressiveness between neighbouring males has not been observed. The display flights of the males are different from those of the Sedge Warbler(A. schoenobaenus). 28 eggs measure on the average 17,76×13,14 mm. Females alone incubate and feed the young, at an average rate of 19,7 times per hour. The young leave the nest 13–14 days after hatching. Young reared in July are fed a great amount of grasshoppers. Second broods probably occur, but could not be proved.

     

Notes on chromosome behaviour in the spermatogenesis of the damselflyEnallagma cyathigerum (Charp.) (Odonata: Coenagrionidae)

The chromosome number in the damselflyEnallagma cyathigerum (Charp.) is 2n =27, 2n =28, n =14 (13). The sex determining mechanism is XX-XO, the X segregates postreductionally in the male.     

C-banding pattern and polymorphism of Aegilops caudata and chromosomal constitutions of the amphiploid T. aestivum — Ae. caudata and six derived chromosome addition lines

Summary C-banding patterns were analysed in 19 different accessions of Aegilops caudata (= Ae. markgrafii, = Triticum dichasians) (2n = 14, genomically CC) from Turkey, Greece and the USSR, and a generalized C-banded karyotype was established. Chromosome specific C-bands are present in all C-genome chromosomes, allowing the identification of each of the seven chromosome pairs. While only minor variations in the C-banding pattern was observed within the accessions, a large amount of polymorphic variation was found between different accessions. C-banding analysis was carried out to identify Ae. caudata chromosomes in the amphiploid Triticum aestivum cv Alcedo — Ae. caudata and in six derived chromosome addition lines. The results show that the amphiploid carries the complete Ae. Caudate chromosome complement and that the addition lines I, II, III, IV, V and VIII carry the Ae. caudata chromosome pairs B, C, D, F, E and G, respectively. One of the two SAT chromosome pairs (A) is missing from the set. C-banding patterns of the added Ae. caudata chromosomes are identical to those present in the ancestor species, indicating that these chromosomes are not structurally rearranged. The results are discussed with respect to the homoeologous relationships of the Ae. caudata chromosomes.