Achiasmate Segregation of a B Chromosome from the X Chromosome in Two Species of Psyllids (Psylloidea, Homoptera)

The segregation of a B chromosome from the X chromosome was studied in male meiosis in two psyllid species, Rhinocola aceris (L.) and Psylla foersteri (Flor.) (Psylloidea, Homoptera). The frequency of segregation was determined from cells at metaphase II. In R. aceris, the B chromosome was mitotically stable and segregated quite regularly from the X chromosome in four geographically distant populations, while it showed less regular, but preferential segregation in one population. This was attributed to the presence of B chromosome variants that differ in their ability to interact with the X chromosome in segregation. In P. foersteri, the B chromosome was mitotically unstable and segregated preferentially from the X chromosome in spermatocyte cysts, which displayed one B chromosome in every cell. Behaviour of the B chromosome and X chromosome univalents during meiotic prophase and at metaphase I in R. aceris, and during anaphase I in P. foersteri suggested that the regular segregation resulted from the incorporation of B chromosomes in achiasmate segregation mechanisms with the X chromosome in the place occupied by the Y chromosome in species with XY system. The regular segregation of a B chromosome from the X chromosome may obscure the distinction of a B chromosome and an achiasmate Y chromosome in some cases. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.