Karyological study of some Corvine birds (Corvidae, aves)

Karyotypes were studied in the hooded and carrion crows, their naturally occurred hybrids, the jungle crow, the azure-winged magpie (2n = 80 in all aforementioned birds), and the magpie (2n = 82). Corvine birds of Primorskii Krai were karyotyped for the first time. In addition to the similarity in the diploid chromosome sets, corvine birds were shown to have a similar structure of karyotype: in all studied birds, 14 macrochromosomes (Mchs) classified into three groups according to their size were detected. By karyotype structure, birds belonging to the same genus are similar. Some intergeneric differences are due to a change in the position of centromeres of the largest and sex chromosomes. Karyotypes of interspecific hybrids of crows are remarkable for the presence of heteromorphic (t/st) chromosome pair 2 in some individuals, which apparently does not affect their fecundity. Using differential C-banding, the sex chromosome W in female magpies was identified. In addition, heteromorphism was detected in C-bands of homologs of Mch pair 4 in the hooded crow. In the jungle crow, the azure-winged magpie, and the magpie, bright QH-bands and numerous G-bands were detected on Mchs and on some microchromosomes only. Active Ag-NOR-bands were detected on one macrochromosome pair in the magpie. In all, the karyotype structure of corvine birds is comparable to the basic structural scheme of the karyotype in the order Passeriformes, which confirms the concept of conservatism of the avian karyotype.     

Karyological studies of three species of Cladophora (Cladophorales,Chlorophyta) from Bermuda

Abstract

Chromosome numbers for three species of Cladophora from Bermuda are presented. C. laetevirens (Dillw.) Kuetz., C. prolifera (Roth) Kuetz., and C. conferta Crouan frat. ex Schramm & Maze were found to have similar karyotypes with 1 N = 2 X = 12 chromosomes belonging to size class III (0.8–2.2 μm). Correlations between each species' karyotype and its morphology and phytogeographic affinity are discussed. Estimates of the basic genome (1 X) for these and other Cladophora species indicate that nuclear DNA content, which shows a threefold variation in the genus, occurs in discontinuous increments. These findings are discussed in relation to reports of large scale, discontinuous DNA variation in vascular plant genera.     

Karyological studies in Hyoscyamus species of Iran

Karyological studies were performed on Hyoscyamus species of Iran. The species studied showed variation with regard to chromosome number and details of karyotype. Two different basic chromosome numbers of x=14 and 17 were recorded for the genus corresponding to the two subgenera of Hyoscyamus . Chromosome numbers of six species are reported for the first time.     

Karyological studies of four genera of theChloranthaceae

Karyological observations on 7 species and 2 varieties of 4 genera belonging to theChloranthaceae demonstrate the presence of three basic chromosome numbers within the family, i.e., x = 8 (Hedyosmum), 13 (Ascarina) and 15 (Chloranthus, Sarcandra). The karyomorphology ofChloranthus andAscarina is similar, whereasSarcandra andHedyosmum display unique characteristics. Both karyological aspects, i.e., chromosome number and karyomorphology, demonstrate remarkable diversity ofChloranthaceae and complex relationships between its genera. A distant affinity betweenChloranthaceae andPiperales is suggested.Presented at the XV International Botanical Congress Yokohama 1993, Symposium on Relationships and Evolution of Primitive Angiosperms: Multidisciplinary Approaches.     

Karyological studies inCoris julis (Pisces,Labridae)

In the present investigation the diploid number 2n=48 (NF=58) has been determined for females, primary males, and secondary males ofCoris julis from the Gulf of Palermo. Differentiated sex chromosomes have not been observed in the population under study.     

Karyological studies of five species of land snails (Helicoidea: Mollusca)

The karyotypes of five species of Helicoidea (Japanese land snails) were analyzed by the air-drying method, using embryonic cells. Somatic cells of Satsuma omphalodes and S. japonica had 2n=58. Karyotypes of Acusta despecta sieboldiana (2n=58), Euhadra dixoni and E. amaliae (2n=56) were also analyzed. Chromosomes of these five species are all metacentric or submetacentric. Two species of Euhadra, dixoni and amaliae, have identical karyotypes while karyotypes of S. omphalodes and S. japonica indicate some dissimilarity in medium-sized and small-sized chromosomes. On the basis of karyotypical characters, A. d. sieboldiana was recognized to be closely related to the Satsuma species, which belong to a different family rather than to Euhadra of the same family as Acusta.     

Karyological study of four Japanese Myotis bats (Chiroptera,Mammalia)

Karyological investigations of four Japanese Myotis species were made based on Gand C-banding pattern analysis. It was revealed that the four species, M. nattereri, M. hosonoi, M. frater kaguyae and M. macrodactylus have all 2n=44 and their karyotypes are, excepting one chromosome pair, identical each other. The only difference in their karyotypes was found on the morphology of the chromosome no. 5. A minute acrocentric (A) was observed in M. nattereri, and a polymorphic (A) and an (M^h) which is a minute metacentric with totally heterochromatic arm was found in M. hosonoi. In M. f. kaguyae, pair no. 5 was a small submetacentric with a totally heterochromatic long arm (SM^h). Polymorphic (SM^h) and (M) which is a small metacentric derived from (SM^h) by a pericentric inversion was seen in M. macrodactylus. Such morphological differentiations of no. 5 were interpreted by assuming an increase of constitutive heterochromatin and also an inversion. The evolutionary pathway in the genus Myotis is assumed to be as follows: (A)(M^h)(SM^h)(M). This assumption was supported by the geographical evidence that the species with the (A) type no. 5 pair is widely distributed in the whole world but the others are restricted to Asia (M^h type) or only to Japan (SM^h and M types).     

Karyological studies of Japanese ants (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

The karyotypes of nine Japanese ants in three subfamilies (Ponerinae, Formicinae, and Myrmicinae) were successfully analysed by the improved squash technique. Three ponerine species had 2n=7 and n=4 (Ponera scabra), 2n=22 (Brachyponera sinensis), and 2n=28 and n=14 (Cryptopone sauteri). Four formicine species had 2n=18 and n=9 (Camponotus sp. and C. tokioensis), 2n=26 and n=13 (Camponotus japonicus), and 2n=30 and n=15 (Lasius niger). Two myrmicine species had 2n=18 and n=9 (Leptothorax congruus), and 2n=37, 38, 39, and n=17, 18, 19, 20 (Pheidole nodus). It was found that the variation of chromosome number observed in P. nodus was caused by Robertsonian type polymorphism.     

Karyological investigations on seven weevil species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Karyological studies were carried out on seven Palaearctic weevils. The following chromosome numbers were found in individual species, i.e. Otiorhynchus niger (F.), Phyllobius viridearis (Laich.), Phyllobius scutellaris Redt., Phyllobius calcaratus (F.), Polydrusus cervinus (L.), and Brachyderes incanus (L.) 2n = 22, n Male = 10 + Xyp, in Lixus elegantulus (Boh.) 2n = 22, n Male = 21 + Xyp. The heterochromosomes of all the examined species form, in the first meiotic metaphase, a typical parachute bivalent.     

Karyological studies of some species of the Mongolian flora

The paper gives the chromosome numbers for 38 species of the Mongolian Flora. Some of the counts appear to be the first findings for the species. They are:Allium anisopodium 2n = 16, Caltha membranacea 2n = 32, Carex macroura 2n = 50, Carex redowskiana 2n = 26, Gastrolychnis brachypetala 2n = 72, Iris biglumis 2n = 40, Iris flavissima 2n = 28 andVicia multicaulis 2n = 24.     

Karyological studies inPelargonium sectt.Ciconium,Dibrachya, andJenkinsonia (Geraniaceae)

Pelargonium sect.Ciconium and sect.Dibrachya have a basic chromosome number of x = 9, whereas sect.Jenkinsonia has x = 9, 11, and 17.     

Postnatal growth patterns in eight species of herons and egrets (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae)

Avian postnatal growth has received considerable attention and its ecological implications have been deeply analyzed. In this current paper, I describe the patterns of culmen and tarsus growth, as well as of weight gain patterns in eight species of herons and egrets (Aves: Ardeidae) found in the Birama Swamp in Eastern Cuba. Between 1998 and 2006,714 nestlings of the following species were measured every two days: Butorides virescens, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta thula, E. tricolor, E. caerulea, E. rufescens, Ardea alba and Nycticorax nycticorax. Logistic and Gompertz equations were adjusted to data using non-lineal regression models with adult values as the asymptote. For each species, the following were determined and recorded: growth rate, age at inflexion, instantaneous growth rates at each age interval, and time taken to reach 90% of adult size. Reported hatchling sizes were similar in other localities, with a variation coefficient ranging between 10-19%. At hatch, each species exhibited differing sizes relative to adult values. In all cases, Gompertz equations were best fitted to explain more variance and lesser residuals. Rates of weight change and tarsus growth were alometrically related to the log of adult weight. Two main growth processes were identified: a physical extension in dimensions of each measurement reflecting inter-specific morphometric differences, and a lineal increase of the growth period from Green Heron to Great Egret. The Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret and Reddish Egret exhibited some unique measurement characteristics in comparison to the remaining members of the family. All results support the hypothesis that hypermorphosis, as the main evolutionary process in the microevolution of Ardeidae, is caused by a delayed final moment of growth.     

Karyological studies on fifteen forms of amphisbaenians (Amphisbaenia-Reptilia)

The chromosome constitutions of 15 forms (2 acrodonts and 13 pleurodonts) of amphisbaenians belonging to two families and eight genera were studied. The diploid chromosome numbers varied from 30 to 44 with the number of chromosome arms (FN) ranging from 42 to 60. The karyotypes of 12 forms all contained 6 pairs of macrochromosomes with similar morphology and 9 to 12 pairs of microchromosomes. The remaining three species had a higher diploid number (40–44) and a wide variation in chromosome morphology. Karyotype variations were found in the same family, even in the same genus. The lengths of the 6 pairs of macrochromosomes in 5 of the 12 forms were measured and compared. This disclosed similarities in the mean lengths, relative lengths, and arm ratios of those forms. — Chromosome patterns found in the present study support, in general, the classification of amphisbaenians derived from analysis of morphological characters.Supported in part by United Health Foundation of Western N. Y. Research Grant G-66-RP-9, National Cancer Institute, CA-08737 and NSF GB 2460.     

Karyological studies in someHypochoeris spp. (Compositae) from Sicily

FiveHypochoeris spp. from Sicily have been investigated:H. glabra L. (2n=10),H. radicata L. (2n=8),H. cretensis L. (2n=6),H. laevigata L. (2n=12),H. robertia Fiori (2n=8). Basic chromosome numbers are very variable, x = 3, 4, 5, 6. The karyotype of each species is presented. Geographical origin (S. America or Mediterranean region) of the genusHypochoeris and the taxonomic position ofH. robertia are discussed.     

Karyological notes on three weevil species from Armenia (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cleoninae)

Karyological studies were carried out on three Armenian weevil species from the subfamily Cleoninae. The following chromosome numbers were found in individual species: 2n = 38, n Male = 18 + Xyp in Menecleonus anxius (Gyllenhal, 1824), 2n = 40, n Male = 19 + Xyp in Conorhynchus nigrivittis (Pallas, 1781) and 2n = 44, n Male = 21 + Xyp in Lixus iridis Olivier, 1807. The heterochromosomes of all the examined species form, in the first meiotic metaphase, a typical parachute bivalent.     

中国金色藻属四个新记录种的超微结构研究

金色藻属Chrysochromulina的种类是海洋浮游植物的重要组成成分。报道了该属在我国的4个新记录种,即盅鳞金色藻Chrysochromulina cymbium Leadbeater ＆ Manton、毛刺金色藻C hirta Manton、粗柱金色藻C,megacylindra Leadbeater和普氏金色藻C pringsheimii Parke ＆ Manton,并在电子显微镜下观察了细胞的超微结构。