Immunofluorescent analysis of meiotic recombination in the domestic cat

The paper presents the analysis of the frequency, density, and distribution of recombination sites in the male meiosis of the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus). The study was carried out using immunofluorescent staining of synaptonemal complex (SC) proteins, centromeric proteins and mismatch repair protein MLH1, a reliable marker of crossingover sites. We mapped 2633 sites of crossing over in 1098 individual autosomes. Based on these data, we estimated the total length of the genetic map of the domestic cat to be 2176 centimorgans. Positive correlation between the length of SC and the number of recombination sites common for mammalians was also found in the domestic cat. It was shown that this species was characterized by the highest density of recombination and the lowest interference in mammals.     

Experimental evidence on the affinities ofPapaver somniferum (Papaveraceae)

Results obtained from crossing experiments betweenP. somniferum subsp.somniferum (2n = 22) and subsp.setigerum (2n = 44),P. glaucum (2n = 14) andP. gracile (2n = 14) and from the observation of meiotic chromosome pairing in the various hybrids obtained do not provide straightforward evidence for the hypothesis thatP. somniferum originated as a triploid hybrid between taxa similar toP. glaucum andP. gracile (Kadereit 1986a, b).—On the one hand, the pattern of crossability found reflects the closer similarity of subsp.somniferum toP. glaucum and of subsp.setigerum toP. gracile, which was interpreted as segregation of parental characters, and the high frequency of 2n = 28 chromosomes among F₂-progeny from the hybrid subsp.somniferum × subsp.setigerum (2n = 33) might reveal n = 7 as the base number also ofP. somniferum. On the other hand, however, the general difficulty of obtaining hybrids, and the low incidence of bivalent formation in their meiosis, probably indicating a lack of chromosome homology between the different species, do not fit the above hypothesis.—These results are in marked contrast to the morphological similarity between the three species involved.     

Wide hybridization: pollination of Zea mays L. by Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Summary Foreign pollen tubes in the stigma of Zea mays can be prevented from reaching the ovary cavity by the unusual length of the pollen tube pathway. A simple and rapid procedure is described for overcoming this difficulty by pollinating the basal parts of the stigmas without removing the ensheathing bracts (husks). The method maintains high humidity in the vicinity of the ovaries, and by conserving photosynthetic tissues probably also ensures a more normal O₂ /CO₂ balance in the neighbourhood of the stigmas than do bagging procedures. It is shown that Sorghum pollen tubes readily reach the ovary after pollination by the method. Their presence induces some of the characteristic post-pollination effects caused by Zea pollen tubes, but they frequently also stimulate premature enlargement of the nucellus and lysis of nucellar cells. Although Sorghum tubes have been traced across the inner ovary wall, they have not been seen to enter the micropyle, and hybrid embryos have not yet been obtained.     

Chromosome numbers and reproduction inRubus subgen.Malachobatus

A review of current knowledge of chromosome numbers and modes of reproduction in the genusRubus L. is presented. Chromosome numbers from some species of subg.Malachobatus Focke together with results of crossing experiments are reported for the first time.     

The coupling of crossing over and homologous synapsis in maize inversions

Because fresh initiations of synapsis must occur for homologous synapsis of internal heterozygously inverted chromosome segments, attention has been directed at homologous synapsis and crossing over in overlapping paracentric inversions in the long arm of chromosome 1 of maize. In an earlier study with a relatively short inversion (where double crossovers within the inversion were rare), a recombination nodule (RN) was generally found at pachytene in reverse paired (homologously synapsed) inverted regions. Crossover frequency within the inversion, which could be independently estimated from analysis of bridge and fragment frequency at anaphase I and II, closely corresponded to crossover frequency estimated from observed RN frequency in pachytene inversion loops. These findings were consistent with the interpretation that establishment of homologous synapsis in this case is generally coupled to crossing over. This coupling suggests that there is very early commitment to the form of resolution of recombination intermediates that results in reciprocal recombination events instead of conversion only or other noncrossover events. This study examines another, larger paracentric inversion in the long arm of chromosome 1 that completely overlaps the first inversion. It is sufficiently longer than the first inversion that double crossover events are found within it with substantial frequency and interference considerations are feasible. This study confers additional insight into the interrelationships of synapsis and crossing over and the probable sequence in which the various involved processes usually occur. It raises the strong possibility that crossovers can be initiated during the alignment phase that precedes synapsis.     

Root growth dynamics of Brussels sprouts (Brassica olearacea var.gemmifera) and leeks (Allium porrum L.) as reflected by root length,root colour and UV fluorescence

Minirhizotron observations of roots of leeks and Brussels sprouts grown in the Wageningen Rhizolab were used to study the dynamics of root length. Day of appearance and the time of decay were assessed for individual root segments visible on the minirhizotron surface.A Brussels sprouts crop produced much more root length than leeks, but the average longevity of these roots was about half that of leek roots.To investigate whether root colour or UV fluorescence could be used as a quantitative index of root functionality or root age, changes in root colour (on a scale of greys) over time were measured with interactive image analysis. In both crops a gradual change towards black was found with ageing. Measurements of the intensity of the UV fluorescence showed that leek roots fluoresced more than Brussels sprouts roots. Over time, UV fluorescence decreased in Brussels sprouts roots but increased in leek roots. It is concluded that UV fluorescence cannot be used as a universal indicator of root age or root functionality, but in some plant species it may be used to separate (transparent) roots from the background with image analysis techniques.     

皖南汉族的趾纹研究

本文对皖南地区520例汉族大学生的趾纹进行了调查分析,计算出了各型趾纹频率、趾纹组合、趾嵴纹计数等项参数。比较了不同性别、不同侧别和不同人种间的差异,分析了趾纹类型和趾嵴纹计数在各趾的分布特点,并对差异的原因进行了讨论。Abstract: The authors inverstigated and analysed the toe prints of 520 cases of good healthy students in Wannan area of Aahui, and calculated the frequency of various toe patterns, combinations of toe patterns, toe ridge counts (TRC) and so on. The differences between sexes, sides and reces were compared. The distributive character of toe patterns and toe ridge count on every toe were analysed. The different cause were discussed.     

CLINES FOR HYBRID DYSFUNCTION IN A GRASSHOPPER HYBRID ZONE

Two subspecies of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus meet in the Pyrenees forming a hybrid zone several kilometers wide. Crosses between the two pure taxa result in sterile male offspring and normal females (i.e., Haldane's rule applies). However, no such dysfunction has been detected in hybrid males collected through the center of the hybrid zone. By assessing the level of dysfunction in the offspring of reciprocal crosses, it was possible to map clines for the genes responsible for dysfunction through the zone. This analysis shows that there is no abrupt transition between incompatible genomes in the field. Crosses were also made between females collected from a transect spanning the hybrid zone and pure males of both subspecies. This reveals noncoincident clines for dysfunction near the center of the hybrid zone such that the dysfunction expressed in the offspring of these crosses is less than expected from simple models. More complex models involving interaction among genes must be invoked. Also, the possibility exists that since the postglacial contact of these two grasshopper taxa, hybrid dysfunction has become ameliorated by the evolution of modifiers. This hybrid zone is thought to be a tension zone, maintained by a balance between selection against hybrid genotypes and dispersal into the zone center. The lessening of hybrid disadvantage over time through the breakdown of epistatic interactions by recombination or through modification could account for the general lack of dysfunction in field collected hybrids today.