Chromosome studies in nine species of Austrian Symphyla (Myriapoda,Tracheata, Arthropoda)

The chromosomes of nine species of Austrian Symphyla, namely, Scutigerella causeyae, S. sp., S. sbordonii, S. palmonii, S. carpatica, S. seposita, Hanseniella nivea (fam. Scutigerellidae), Symphylella isabellae and S. vulgaris (fam. Scolopendrellidae) were studied using Giemsa-C-banding and fluorochrome staining techniques. Male diploid chromosome numbers range from 11 to 18. The mechanism of sex determination seems to be variable within this group: S. isabellae (2n=11) might have an XO-type, whereas the other species studied have even diploid chromosome numbers in the male sex. For S. causeyae, specimens with B-chromosomes and an obviously tetraploid form have been detected.