RAPD analysis reveals genetic variability among sexual and Apomictic Paspalum dilatatum poiret biotypes

Paspalum dilatatum is a valuable forage grass in the subtropics. This species consists of several sexual (tetraploid) and apomict (penta- and hexaploid) biotypes. It has been proposed that the presence of a genome of unknown origin, the X genome, is responsible for apomixis in penta- and hexaploid biotypes. Here we evaluated the utility of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers for discriminating sexual and apomictic P. dilatatum biotypes. DNA samples from nine accessions, including P. intermedium, P. juergensii, and P. dilatatum (ssp. flavescens, and the common and Uruguayan biotypes) were analyzed with 86 RAPD primers. Three hundred sixty-two fragments were scored and genetic similarity estimates revealed that the penta- and hexaploid biotypes were highly similar (S(D) > or = 0.913). Forty RAPDs were unique to the penta- and hexaploid biotypes. Overall RAPD markers were useful for assessing genetic variation among closely related P. dilatatum genotypes as well as generating putative X genome markers.     

Genome relationships in the genus Dasypyrum (Gramineae)

To elucidate the genome relationships in the genus Dasypyrum and the ancestry of tetraploid D. breviaristatum, two cytotypes of D. breviaristatum and D. villosum were reciprocally crossed with one another. Chromosome pairing at the first metaphase of meiosis and fertility were examined in the F1 hybrids and the parental plants. The mean pairing configuration and mean arm pairing frequency in D. villosum-D. breviaristatum (2x) hybrids were 11.12I + 1.44II per cell and 0.107, respectively, and they were almost completely sterile. In D. breviaristatum (4x)-D. breviaristatum (2x) hybrid, up to seven trivalents were formed, and the mean pairing configuration was 3.38I + 3.20II + 3.74III + 0.005IV per cell. The mean arm pairing frequency and relative affinity calculated in that F1 hybrid were 0.915 and 0.641, respectively. Seven bivalents and seven univalents were characteristically formed in D. villosum-D. breviaristatum (4x) hybrids. Based on the present results, we clearly concluded that the genome of diploid D. breviaristatum is distantly related to the genome V of D. villosum, and that these two species have different basic genomes. We, therefore, proposed the symbol Vb for the haploid genome of diploid cytotype of D. breviaristatum. Moreover, we concluded that tetraploid D. breviaristatum is an autotetraploid with doubled sets of the genomes homologous with that of diploid D. breviaristatum, and we proposed the genome constitution VbVb for the haploid genome set of tetraploid cytotype of D. breviaristatum. Furthermore, from the chromosome pairing in the F1 hybrids involving Moroccan and Greek accessions, it was suggested that complicated rearrangements of chromosome structure have occurred in tetraploid D. breviaristatum in its natural populations across the entire distribution area.     

Segregation for sexual seed production in Paspalum as directed by male gametes of apomictic triploid plants

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Gametophytic apomixis is regularly associated with polyploidy. It has been hypothesized that apomixis is not present in diploid plants because of a pleiotropic lethal effect associated with monoploid gametes. Rare apomictic triploid plants for Paspalum notatum and P. simplex, which usually have sexual diploid and apomictic tetraploid races, were acquired. These triploids normally produce male gametes through meiosis with a range of chromosome numbers from monoploid (n = 10) to diploid (n = 20). The patterns of apomixis transmission in Paspalum were investigated in relation to the ploidy levels of gametes. METHODS: Intraspecific crosses were made between sexual diploid, triploid and tetraploid plants as female parents and apomictic triploid plants as male parents. Apomictic progeny were identified by using molecular markers completely linked to apomixis and the analysis of mature embryo sacs. The chromosome number of the male gamete was inferred from chromosome counts of each progeny. KEY RESULTS: The chromosome numbers of the progeny indicated that the chromosome input of male gametes depended on the chromosome number of the female gamete. The apomictic trait was not transmitted through monoploid gametes, at least when the progeny was diploid. Diploid or near-diploid gametes transmitted apomixis at very low rates. CONCLUSIONS: Since male monoploid gametes usually failed to form polyploid progenies, for example triploids after 4x x 3x crosses, it was not possible to determine whether apomixis could segregate in polyploid progenies by means of monoploid gametes.     

Chromosome elimination in Paspalum subciliatum (Notata group)

 This paper reports the occurrence of chromosome elimination during microsporogenesis in a Brazilian accession of Paspalum subciliatum. The accession was tetraploid (2n=4x=40) and meiosis was normal until diakinesis, with 20 regularly distributed bivalents. Starting at metaphase I, meiosis was very peculiar. In this phase, while ten bivalents were clustered in the equatorial plate, the other ten were still dispersed in the cytoplasm. In anaphase I the chromosomes showed different abilities to migrate to the poles. While one genome reached the poles in telophase I, the laggard was in metaphase or anaphase and was engulfed by extra nuclei. In the second division, behavior was the same. Our results show clear asynchrony in cell cycle, especially in some meiotic phases. Unfortunately we cannot explain the causes of the phenomenon, but this event shows once more that chromosome elimination serves as an incompatibility barrier preventing divergent genomes from coexisting in the same cellular system. The chromosome elimination affected pollen fertility but did not impair seed viability. Received: 22 April 1998 / Revision accepted: 2 September 1998     

Expression of lorelei-like genes in aposporous and sexual Paspalum notatum plants

Gametophytic apomictic plants form non-reduced embryo sacs that generate clonal embryos by parthenogenesis, in the absence of both meiosis and egg-cell fertilization. Here we report the sequence and expression analysis of a lorelei-like Paspalum notatum gene, n20gap-1, which encodes a GPI-anchored protein previously associated with apomixis in this species. Phylogeny trees showed that n20gap-1 was evolutionary related to the Arabidopsis thaliana lorelei genes At4g26466 and At5g56170. The lorelei At4g26466 disruption was shown to be detrimental to sperm cell release in arabidopsis. RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis revealed the occurrence of several homologous sequences in the Paspalum notatum genome, exhibiting polymorphisms genetically linked to apomixis. Real-time PCR showed that lorelei-family genes present a minor activity peak at pre-meiosis and a major one at anthesis. The apomictic genotype analyzed showed a significantly increased activity at pre-meiosis, post-meiosis and anthesis with respect to a sexual genotype. In situ hybridization assays revealed expression in integuments, nucellus and the egg-cell apparatus. Several n20gap-1 alleles differing mainly at the 3' UTR sequence were identified. Allele-specific real-time PCR experiments showed that allele 28 was significantly induced in reproductive tissues of the apomictic genotype with respect to the sexual genotype at anthesis. Our results indicate that P. notatum lorelei-like genes are differentially expressed in representative sexual (Q4188) and apomictic (Q4117) genotypes, and might play a role in the final stages of the apomixis developmental cascade. However, the association of n20gap-1 expression with the trait should be confirmed in significant number of sexual and apomictic genotypes.     

A Biosystematic Study on Hybrids Between Psathyrostachys huashanica and Two Species of Roegneria

Intergeneric crosses were made betweem Psathyrostachys huashanica (2n=14, NN)and two Roegneria species, namely, R. ciliaris (2n=28, SSYY), and R. tsukushiensis (2n=42, SSHHYY). Two combinations of P. huashanica crossed with R. ciliaris and R. tsukushiensis produced adult hybrid plants. Although completely sterile, the hybrid plants developed rather vigorously, and were morphologically intermediate between the two parents.Two spikelets per node in part were observed in hybrids, which evidently came from P. huashanica. The chromosome configurations of R. ciliaris × P. huashanica and R. tsukushiensis × P. huashanica were 20.73 I+0.318 II, 24.80 I+1.578 II+0. 012 III, respectively. Polypolar division was found at anaphase I in meiosis of two hybrids. Abnormal meiosis in two hybrids was observed. The chromosome pairing indicates that there is only a little chromosome homoeology between “N” genome of P. huashanicaand “S”, “Y” or “H” genomes of R. ciliaris and R. tsukushiensis.     

Genomic in situ hybridization analysis of a trigenomic hybrid involving Solanum and Lycopersicon species.

A 4x potato (+) tomato fusion hybrid (2n = 4x = 48) was successfully backcrossed with a diploid Lycopersicon pennellii (2n = 2x = 24). Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) on somatic and meiotic chromosomes confirmed that the progenies were triploids (2n = 3x = 36) and possessed three different genomes: potato, tomato, and L. pennellii. Therefore, they have been called trigenomic hybrids. Total genomic probes of both Lycopersicon species were found to hybridize mutually, whereas the potato genome was clearly differentiated. During metaphase I, bivalents were formed predominantly between tomato and L. pennellii chromosomes and the univalents of potato chromosomes were most common. Trivalents in all cases included homoeologous chromosomes of potato, tomato, and L. pennellii. However, the triploids were totally sterile as determined from extensive crossing. On chromosome doubling of triploids by shoot regeneration from callus, hexaploids (2n = 6x = 72) were obtained. Despite exhibiting clear allohexaploid behaviour by forming 36 bivalents at meiosis, these were also completely sterile like their triploid counterparts. In spite of this drawback, the prospects of chromosome pairing between potato L. pennellii and Solanum genomes does open the possibilities for bringing the two genera close.     

四倍体鲫鲤、三倍体湘云鲫染色体减数分裂观察

用精巢细胞直接制片法观察了异源四倍体鲫鲤、三倍体湘云鲫和二倍体红鲫、湘江野鲤精母细胞染色体第一次减数分裂中期配对情况 ;作为对照 ,观察了上述四种鱼肾细胞的有丝分裂中期染色体。在精母细胞第一次减数分裂中 ,异源四倍体鲫鲤同源染色体两两配对 ,形成 10 0个二价体 ,没有观察到单价体、三价体和四价体 ;三倍体湘云鲫精母细胞形成 5 0个二价体和 5 0个单价体 ;红鲫和湘江野鲤精母细胞分别形成 5 0个二价体。肾细胞检测表明异源四倍体的染色体数目为 4n =2 0 0 ;湘云鲫为 3n =15 0 ;红鲫和湘江野鲤分别为 2n =10 0。减数分裂时染色体分布情况与肾细胞染色体检测结果相吻合。具有四套染色体的异源四倍体鲫鲤在减数分裂中只形成 10 0个二价体 ,而不形成 2 5个四价体或其它形式 ,为产生稳定一致的二倍体配子提供了重要的遗传保障 ,也为人工培育的异源四倍体鲫鲤群体能够世世代代自身繁衍下去提供了重要的遗传学证据。三倍体湘云鲫在减数分裂过程中出现二价体、单价体共存 ,同源染色体在配对和分离中出现紊乱 ,导致非整倍体生殖细胞的产生 ,为湘云鲫的不育性提供了染色体水平上的证据     

Genome differentiation in Magonoliaceae as revealed from meiotic pairing in interspecific and intergeneric hybrids

The cross compatibility within and between Yulania Spach and Michelia L.(Magnoliaceae) is relatively good and various such hybrids,obtained by conventional artificial hybridization,are available.The aim of the present study was to determine the extent of genome differentiation between the species involved in these crosses through the observation of chromosome pairing during meiosis in pollen mother cells (PMCs) of the hybrids.Chromosome pairing behavior was studied in five species (2n =38) and two interspecific hybrids of Michelia,eight species (2n =38,76 and 114) and 10 interspecific hybrids of Yulania,and three intergeneric hybrids between Michelia and Yulania.The results showed that chromosome pairing was normal with bivalent formation in diploid parental species and in interspecific hybrids.In addition to bivalents,multivalents were encountered in polyploid parental species and polyploid interspecific hybrids.In the intergeneric hybrids between a tetraploid Yulania and two diploid Michelia,19 chromosomes,most likely originating from Michelia,were unable to synapse from zygotene to metaphase I.Meiotic chromosome pairing indicated a high degree of homology between species within Michelia and Yulania and less homology between the genomes of these two genera.The differentiation of morphological characters and the distinctness of natural distribution also support the conclusion that these two genera are likely independent monophyletic groups.This suggests that the two genera were split at early evolution of Magnoliaceae and the overlapping characteristics in external morphology and internal structures of the two genera may be the result of parallel evolution or ancient common ancestry.     

The effect of B chromosomes on homoeologous pairing in species hybrids

The effect of B chromosomes on chromosome pairing at meiosis was investigated in the species hybrid Lolium temulentum x L. perenne at both the diploid and tetraploid level. The presence of B chromosomes drastically reduced association of homoeologous chromosomes in both the diploids and tetraploids. This was evident from the high frequency of univalents recorded in PMC's of diploid hybrids with B's and from the predominantly bivalent association of homologous chromosomes in tetraploids of this type. In the absence of B's homoeologous pairing was extensive giving a high frequency of bivalents in the diploids and multivalents as well as bivalents and univalents in the tetraploids.     

Morphology and cytology of intergeneric hybrids involvingLeymus multicaulis (Poaceae)

The morphology and meiotic behaviour of pollen mother cells were studied in hybrids involvingLeymus multicaulis (2n = 28) ×Psathyrostachys huashanica (2n = 14),L. multicaulis ×P. juncea (2n = 14), andL. secalinus (2n = 28) ×L. multicaulis. Chromosome pairing was almost identical in theL. multicaulis ×P. huashanica, andL. multicaulis ×P. juncea hybrids, in which it averaged 7.30 univalents + 6.69 bivalents + 0.096 trivalents and 7.48 univalents + 6.75 bivalents, respectively. The meiotic pairing in the two hybrids indicated that oneL. multicaulis genome was closely homologous with theP. huashanica andP. juncea genomes. BothP. huashanica andP. juncea are possibly donors of oneL. multicaulis genome. Chromosome pairing in theL. secalinus ×L. multicaulis hybrid averaged 4.49 univalents + 11.71 bivalents + 0.02 trivalents, indicating that the genomes ofL. multicaulis andL. secalinus are to some degree homologous. However, they are sufficiently differentiated to insure species distinctness.     

A novel intergeneric hybrid in the Triticeae: Triticum aestivum x Psathyrost achys juncea

Summary Two hybrid embryos of intergeneric origin between Triticum aestivum cv Fukuho (2n=6x=42, AABBDD) and Psathyrostachys juncea (2n=2x=14, NN) were successfully rescued. One hybrid plant had the expected chromosome number of 28 (ABDN), whereas the second plant had 35 chromosomes. The average meiotic chromosome pairing in the 35-chromosome hybrid was 21.87 univalents + 6.38 bivalents + 0.11 trivalents + 0.009 quadrivalents, which indicates that two copies of the N genome were present. Chromosome pairing in the 28-chromosome hybrid was low (1.35 bivalents), and pointed out the lack of homology between the wheat genomes and the P. juncea genome. These new hybrids showed some necrosis and chlorosis, which caused severe floral abortion in the plant that had 35 chromosomes. These problems became gradually less severe after 18 months.Contrib. no. 372     

Absence of the J genome in Leymus species (Poaceae: Triticeae): evidence from DNA hybridization and meiotic pairing.

To test the presence of a J genome in the type species of Leymus, L. arenarius, its total genomic DNA and that of tetraploids L. mollis, L. salinus ssp. salmonis, L. ambiguus, L. chinensis, L. secalinus, L. alaicus ssp. karataviensis, and L. innovatus were probed with the 277-bp insert of pLeUCD2, which can hybridize with the J, S, and P but not with the N, R, V, Q, I, T, and ABD genomes. The DNA probe hybridized with PalI- or TaqI-digested total DNAs from Thinopyrum elongatum (JeJe diploid) and T. elongatum x Psathyrostachys juncea (JeN hybrid), but not with those from L. arenarius (NNNNXXXX octoploid) and all tetraploid Leymus species (NNXX). Attempts to cross diploid Thinopyrum and tetraploid Leymus species yielded only one triploid hybrid, T. elongatum x L. salinus ssp. salmonis. Meiotic chromosome associations at metaphase I of pollen mother cells in the triploid hybrid averaged 19.69 univalents, 0.64 bivalents, and 0.01 trivalents per cell. Chromosome pairings in the tetraploid hybrids of L. mollis x L. salinus ssp. salmonis, and the reciprocal cross, indicate that L. mollis and L. salinus ssp. salmonis shae the same genomic constitution. Both the DNA probe and genome analysis results confirm the absence of the J genome in the seven additional Leymus species tested. Meiotic data indicated that tetraploid Leymus species could not have the genome formula N1N1N2N2; thus their genome formulas should remain as NNXX until the source of X is identified.     

Chromosome studies in species and hybrids ofPetrorhagia sect.Kohlrauschia (Caryophyllaceae)

Cytogenetic investigations have been made in the fourPetrorhagia species and hybrids of the sectionKohlrauschia. The three diploid species show close similarities in chromosome number, size and morphology, with the exception ofP. velutina, where one pair of metacentric chromosomes is represented by a pair of telocentrics. Meiotic studies in hybrids indicate close genomic homology between the diploid species and also between the two floral forms ofP. prolifera. The tetraploidP. nanteuilii behaves as an allotetraploid forming only bivalents at meiosis and results suggest thatP. velutina andP. prolifera are the diploid progenitors of this species. Since meiosis in diploid and triploid hybrids results in extensive intergenomic pairing it is concluded that the natural tetraploid has a bivalent promoting mechanism that prevents pairing between the genomes of its diploid progenitors.     

Meiosis in gray voles of the subgenus microtus (rodentia, arvicolinae) and in their hybrids

The results of light and electron microscopic (EM) studies of meiosis in Microtus arvalis males of the karyoform "arvalis" (2n = 46, NFa = 80), in hybrids between the chromosomal forms arvalis and obscurus (2n = 46, NFa = 68), in M. rossiaemeridionalis voles (2n = 54, NFa = 54), and in a hybrid between the species M. rossiaemeridionalis and M. kermanensis (2n = 54, NFa = 54) are presented. SC (synaptonemal complex) karyotypes of the parental forms and the hybrids were constructed on the basis of measurements of the length ofautosomal SCs revealed by the EM analysis in spermatocytes at the stage of middle pachytene. The SC karyotypes of M. arvalis and the hybrids female obscurus x male arvalis consist of 22 synaptonemal complexes of autosomal bivalents and the axial elements of the synaptonemal complexes of the sex chromosomes X and Y. The SC karyotypes of M. rossiaemeridionalis and the hybrid M. rossiaemeridionalis x M. kermanensis consist of 26 synaptonemal complexes of autosomal bivalents and a sex bivalent; they differ only in the length of the Y chromosome axis (Y chromosome in the hybrid was inherited from M. kermanensis). Asynaptic configurations of the autosomal SCs were not observed in the hybrids. The SC axial elements of the X and Y chromosomes in the parental forms and in the hybrids were located close to each other throughout pachytene, but they did not form a synaptic region. The normal synapsis in sterile hybrids (M. rossiaemeridionalis x M. kermanensis) and the behavior of the sex chromosomes in meiosis in fertile and sterile hybrids are discussed in the context of specific features of meiosis and reproductive isolation.     

四个栽培棉种间的杂种F1细胞遗传学与亲缘关系研究

以棉属四个栽培棉种进行种间杂交,产生(亚洲棉×草棉)和(陆地棉×海岛棉)2个二元杂种F1及其[(亚洲棉×草棉)×(陆地棉×海岛棉)]四元杂种F1,观察和测定4个栽培棉种及其2个二元杂种F1和四元杂种F1的花粉母细胞(PMC)减数分裂的染色体行为及其花粉生活力,以研究4个栽培棉种间的亲缘关系和进化关系。结果表明,二元杂种(亚洲棉×草棉)F1的PMC减数分裂中期Ⅰ出现一个四体环,其余为二价体,染色体构型为2n=26=11Ⅱ 1Ⅳ;花粉生活力的测定表明,(亚洲棉×草棉)F1可育型花粉为50.71%,表现为典型的配子半不育特性,说明两个二倍体棉种间发生一次染色体易位。(陆地棉×海岛棉)F1以26个二价体细胞为主,但有少量的单价体、三价体以及四价体,染色体构型为2n=52=0.78Ⅰ 22.24Ⅱ 0.94Ⅲ 0.98Ⅳ。花粉生活力的测定表明,(陆地棉×海岛棉)F1可育型花粉为54.84%,可见2个四倍体棉种间亲缘关系较近,二者之间仅发生了染色体的易位或倒位。而由4个栽培种合成的四元杂种F1,其减数分裂异常,染色体丢失现象普遍,部分染色体不能联会配对,以单价体的形式存在,并出现三价体、四价体、五价体等多价体,染色体构型为2n=52=5.45Ⅰ 14.41Ⅱ 2.44Ⅲ 1.59Ⅳ 0.63Ⅴ 0.15Ⅵ,其可育花粉为6.87%。研究结果表明了4种栽培棉种之间的亲缘关系相对较近,可以通过遗传重组产生综合有4个栽培棉种性状的新种质。     

Hybridization in the genera Vulpia and Festuca (Poaceae): meiotic behaviour of artificial hybrids

The course of meiosis, including an analysis of chromosome configurations, is described for five diploid × diploid Vulpia crosses, five tetraploid × diploid Vulpia crosses, one hexaploid × diploid Festuca × Vulpia cross, one tetraploid × hexaploid Vulpia × Festuca cross, and one hexaploid × hexaploid Vulpia × Festuca cross. In most cases there was 97.5% or more pollen sterility, but two heptaploid plants obtained (presumably by non-reduction) from a hexaploid × diploid cross had about 60% stainable pollen. In the diploid hybrids pairing was quite extensive, and in V. ligustica × V. geniculata it was more or less as in the parent species (mode 7 bivalents, with regular separation). In the triploid hybrids the modal situation was 7 bivalents + 7 univalents, but evidence concerning the genomes which were pairing was equivocal. Evidence from the crosses at higher ploidy levels shows that both homogenetic and heterogenetic pairing does occur, although the relative amounts are uncertain. The results in general support the current classsification of Vulpia , except that they suggest the removal of V. alopecuros from section Loretia.     

Triploidy in Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete (Equisetaceae, Pteridophyta)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The genus Equisetum is cytologically uniform, having a base chromosome number of x = 108. All previously known species and hybrids that have been counted represent diploids with a sporophytic chromosome number of 2n = 216. Biosystematic studies on Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete revealed evidence that triploids occur in nature. The objective of this study was to confirm that triploid plants exist in the natural environment. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to establish nuclear DNA values and cytological investigations of meiosis were carried out to obtain information on chromosome number and pairing behaviour. KEY RESULTS: Triploidy exists in three morphologically different hybrid taxa. Two of these are morphologically intermediate between a primary diploid hybrid and a parent, while the third apparently combines genomes from all three Central European Hippochaete species. Nuclear 1C DNA values for the four European Hippochaete species range from 21.4-31.6 pg. For the hybrids, the 1C DNA values not only occupy the same range as the species, but their total DNA amounts agree closely with values predicted by adding the 1C DNA values of each parental genome. Chromosome counts confirm diploidy in the species E. hyemale and E. variegatum and in the hybrid E. xtrachyodon (= E. hyemale x E. variegatum). For the triploids (2n approximately 324), cytological information is presented for the first time. CONCLUSIONS: Triploid taxa may have originated by backcrossing or by crossing of a diploid hybrid with an unrelated diploid species. As tetraploid plants are unknown, these crossings probably involve diploid gametophytes that developed from unreduced diplospores. By repeated crossing events or backcrossing, reticulate evolution patterns arise that are similar to those known for a number of ferns and fern allies.     

CHROMOSOME RELATIONSHIPS OF DIPLOID SPECIES OF GRINDELIA (COMPOSITAE) FROM COLORADO,NEW MEXICO,AND ADJACENT AREAS

Previous studies of chromosome relationships of Grindelia species recognized three basic genomes designated Oxylepis, Hallii, and Havardii. Differences are based on different end arrangements of the chromosomes resulting from reciprocal translocations. This report will review and give additional information about the genomes and interrelationships of 17 species. All of the species are diploids (2n = 12) and show six bivalents at meiosis. Species in this study that have the Oxylepis genome are G. oxylepis var. eligulata, G. fastigiata, G. inornata, G. revoluta, and G. squarrosa. Species that have the Havardii genome included G. havardii, G. grandiflora, G. lanceolata, G. littoralis, and G. texana. The Hallii genome is present in G. camporum var. davyi and G. procera. Hybrids of species with the same genome have six bivalents at meiosis. Hybrids between species with the Oxylepis genome and those having the Havardii genome have four bivalents and one quadrivalent at meiosis. Likewise for Oxylepis x Hallii hybrids. A new genome is presented for G. subalpina which would explain the configurations of two bivalents and two quadrivalents observed in G. subalpina x G. havardii and G. subalpina x G. fastigiata hybrids. This is designated the Subalpina genome. Species tested but with genomes as yet undetermined are G. acutifolia, G. arizonica, G. nana, and G. scabra.     

Segregation analysis of RFLP markers reveals a tetrasomic inheritance in apomictic Paspalum simplex.

Apomictic tetraploid Paspalum simplex was crossed with colchicine-doubled diploid sexual plants belonging to the same species. Homologous genomic probes were selected from a partial PstI genomic library for their capacity to detect alleles specific to the apomictic parent, and their segregation was analyzed in the F1 progeny. High levels of polymorphism between apomictic and sexual genotypes were recorded. The heterozygosity was high in both tetraploid and diploid genotypes but the differences between them were not as great as expected. In the sexual parent, some markers segregated as either a monoallelic duplex or a diallelic duplex, while several allelic configurations were observed in the apomictic parent. The segregation of double-dose monoallelic fragments demonstrated the tetrasomic inheritance of apomictic P. simplex. The correlations between apomixis, ploidy level, and tetrasomic inheritance are discussed.