Chromosomal translocations in 2 Italian populations ofReticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) (Insecta,Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Summary The chromosomes of 2 Italian populations ofReticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) were studied in both spermatogonial and oogonial divisions. The diploid chromosome complement is 2=42. All the first meiotic metaphases in Sardinian males show a complex translocation arranged in chains of 4 bivalents. The Apulian males show either 21 bivalents or 19 bivalents and a chain of 2.The authors express their thanks to Prof. A. Springhetti for his kind help in supplying the materials and for criticism in preparation of this paper, and to Prof. G. Colombo for valuable advice and criticism.     

I cromosomi di alcuniPipidae (Amphibia Salientia)

Summary The karyotype of the African PipidHymenochirus boettgeri (2n=24, all meta- or submetacentric chromosomes) is different from the one of the African PipidXenopus laevis (2n=36). The karyotype of the American PipidPipa (Protopipa)parva (2n=30, all acrocentric chromosomes) is very primitive and different from the karyotypes of the African Pipids and from that ofPipa pipa; the male meiotic chromosomes ofP. parva, usually with 1 procentric chiasma, show a clear difference from the male bivalents of the other Pipids, all with 2 terminal chiasmata.     

Multiple sex-linked reciprocal translocations in a termite from Jamaica

Summary Males of the termiteIncisitermes schwarzi from Jamaica have a diploid chromosome number of 32. In male meiosis there are 7 bivalents, and a ring of 18 chromosomes equivalent to sex chromosomes, 9 X's and 9 Y's. This is the largest reciprocal translocation complex so far described for any plant or animal species.This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, No. DEB 78-02042.     

Genetic basis of some morphological differences between temperate and equatorial populations ofDrosophila melanogaster

The genetic basis of three morphological traits (ovariole number, sternopleural bristle number and wing length) ofDrosophila melanogaster has been investigated in natural populations that show great differences in these traits, i. e. Bordeaux (France) and Loua (Congo). F1 and F2 crosses, and chromosome substitutions between these two populations, were analysed. Maternal and/or X chromosome effects were found for sternopleural bristle number and wing length. For all traits, significant effects from each of the three chromosomes were found, but in general only one or two chromosomes had a major effect. Moreover, in all cases significant interactions between chromosomes were observed, suggesting the existence of epistatic effects. Our results are discussed and compared to those obtained from the analysis of selected laboratory strains.     

Heterochromatin characterization and distribution in the chromosomes of two populations ofIdotea baltica basteri Audouin, 1826 (Isopoda,Valvifera)

Two mediterranean populations ofIdotea baltica basteri from Messina and Naples showed a set of chromosomes composed by 58 all-biarmed chromosomes. The heterochromatin was located in the pericentromeric region of the chromosomes, and its composition appeared heterogeneous. In fact, not all the homologs showed heterochromatin resistant to digestion with three restriction enzymes (Alu I, Hae III and Sau 3A). Moreover, the two populations showed polymorphism in a band of G+C-rich telomeric heterochromatin, which was present only in the population from Messina. It is hypothesized that chromosomal polymorphism might reflect the geographical isolation of the two populations. It is also suggested that a process of diversification is taking place.     

Karyotype and chromosome banding in the reed frogHyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus (Amphibia,Anura, Hyperoliidae)

Summary C-banding and mithramycin staining were used to characterize the karyotypes of 10 specimens of the African reed frogHyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus from Tanzania. The diploid chromosome number is 2n=24. Although no heteromorphic sex chromosomes were present in the mitotic karyotypes, in many diakineses of male meiosis one or two bivalents exhibited an end-to-end arrangement. In the laboratory 7 out of 24 females changed sex spontaneously. This indicates that an XY/XX system of sex determination operates inH. viridiflavus ommatostictus.This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Schm 484/2-4). We thank K. E. Linsenmair and C. M. Richards for helpful comments on an earlier draft.     

Evolutionary and ecological consequences of interspecific hybridization in cladocerans

The evolutionary process of interspecific hybridization in cladocerans is reviewed based on ecological and population genetic data. The evolutionary consequences of hybridization, biogeographic patterns and fitness comparisons are analyzed within the conceptual framework of theories on hybridization. Among species of theD. longispina complex no interpopulational transition zones (hybrid zones) have been detected, but rather patchy distributions of hybrids and parentals have been found. Hybrids occur across broad geographic ranges and can be more abundant than parental species. Due to asexual reproduction (ameiotic parthenogenesis), hybrid breakdown can be avoided, and hybrids can even (temporarily) combine advantageous traits of both parental species. Evolutionary consequences may arise from repeated backcrossing, which in some cases results in introgression and patterns of reticulate evolution.Those forms which possess in some considerable degree the character of species, but which are so closely similar to some other forms, or are so closely linked to them by intermediate gradations, that naturalists do not like to rank them as distinct species, are in several respects the most important to us (Charles Robert Darwin 1859)     

Effect of hyperthermia upon gamma-ray induced crossing-over in an excision repair deficient maleDrosophila melanogaster

Summary Hyperthermia of 1 h at 38°C did increase gamma-ray induced crossing-over in meiotic cells of male larvae and adults. However, there was considerably less effect of the heat treatment upon radiation induced crossing-over (a chromosome breakage event) in an excision repair mutanty mei-9 ^a.5 January 1987     

Caryotypes de quelques hybrides interspécifiques dePitymys (Mammalia,Rodentia)

Summary The Robertsonian polymorphism ofPitymys subterraneus involves only 1 pair of metacentric autosomes. The crosses of forms with 52, 53 and 54 chromosomes do not show any differences in their reproductive rate. So a single autosome trivalent does not affect the fecondity. Many hybrids have been obtained betweenP. subterraneus (2N=52 or 54) andP. multiplex (2N=48) with 50 or 51 chromosomes, respectively. Even with a heterogenous karyotype they are not entirely sterile. 2 progeny were produced from back-crosses. The 2 parental species seem to result from recent speciation. Only fecondation or embryogenesis occurs in crossingP. duodecimcostatus withP. subterraneus orP. multiplex. The chromosome complement of 1 hybrid embryo ofP. duodecimcostatus (2N=62)×P. multiplex (2N=48) has been studied showing 55 chromosomes.P. duodecimcostatus appears to belong to a more distant evolutionary group.     

Duplications of additively acting genes in the evolution of a plant (Microseris pygmaea)

Summary Crosses betweenMicroseris pygmaea (10 pappus parts per fruit) andM. bigelovii (5 pappus parts) have revealed 10-determining genes that additively determine the average number of pappus parts in the hybrids. One or two such genes are found in different populations. Two independent duplications of the original 10-determining gene seem to have occurred.     

New contribution to the study of chromosomes of the European Cryptocephalinae (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Summary The chromosomes of three species ofPachybrachis and nine ofCryptocephalus chrysomelids were analyzed. The male meiotic bivalent formula ofP. azureus Suffr.,P. catalonicus Burl. andP. petitpierrei Daccordi is 7^II+Xy_r.Cryptocephalus sexmaculatus Ol. andC. vittula Suffr. have 13^II+Xy_p,C. bipunctatus L. 14^II+Xy_r,C. ochroleucus Steph. andC. ocellatus Drap. 14^II+Xy_p,C. crassus 01. 15^II+Xy_r,C. sulphureus 01. 15^II+Xy_p, the same number as inC. fulvus Goeze with 2n=32 chromosomes, whileC. primarius Har. has 19^II+Xy_p. The modal chromosome number inCryptocephalus is 2n=30 (about 60% of spp.), and most species are characterized their small chromosomes. The low variation found in the karyotypes of Cryptocephalinae along with their possible interrelationships with allied chrysomelid subfamilies are also discussed.     

Cytological evidence on the ability of the nucleolus organizing regions to assemble pre-existing nucleolar material

Summary The treatment ofVicia faba root tips with 5-azacytidine caused unequal allotment of the chromosomes; after one cell cycle, a pair of daughter nuclei was produced, one of which carried the nucleolus organizing regions (NORs) and the other of which lacked them. The pre-existing nucleolar material brought into the NOR-carrying daughter nucleus by the chromosomes disappeared concurrently with the appearance of the new nucleoli, whereas in another daughter nucleus without the NOR a number of small nucleolus-like bodies became visible at random positions. These findings suggest that in addition to ribosomal RNA synthesis the NOR has another role in cells; to stimulate the pre-existing nucleolar material to assemble at the NOR itself.     

Il tenore di acido desossiribonucleico negli eritrociti diAnas Platyrhynchos,Cairina moschata e dei loro ibridi diretti e reciproci

Summary The desoxyribonucleic acid content in nuclei of erytrocytes inAnas platyrhynchos, Cairina moschata and their direct and reciprocal hybrids is studied by the quantitative method. A significant difference was found between the amounts in the two parental species. The hybrids reveal an irregularity in behaviour of their means and distribution of contents. This seems to be dependent on their origin and sex. These findings are discussed and critically compared with other data from the literature, concerning the desoxiribonucleic acid content and chromosome-characteristics.

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Lavoro eseguito con un contributo del C.N.R. Il materiale è stato raccolto alla Stazione Sperimentale di Pollicultura di Rovigo, diretta dal prof.A. Taibel, al quale devo i più vivi ringraziamenti, anche per le utili indicazioni ed i consigli forniti.     

Cytogenetic studies of Hynobiidae (Urodela). XIV. Analysis of the chromosome of a Chinese salamander, Batrachuperus pinchonii (David)

The chromosome number of a Chinese salamander, Batrachuperus pinchonii, was re-examined. Adults and embryonic specimens had a diploid number of 66, with 33 bivalents during meiosis, in contrast to previous reported results. Furthermore, when C-banding analysis was performed with embryos, chromosomes with banding patterns homoeologous to those of Salamandrella keyserlingii and Hynobius species were found. It appears, therefore, that Batrachuperus, Salamandrella and Hynobius might be derived from a common ancestral species in eastern Asia. Received 22 August 1997; received after revision 14 October 1997; accepted 20 November 1997     

Genetic load and effective size of natural populations ofDrosophila melanogaster in Korea

Summary The effect of 750 second chromosomes ofDrosophila melanogaster on viability was studied. 19.3% of them proved letal or semilethal (=drastics) in homozygous condition. Compared to data obtained in previous years at the same sampling site, a significant frequency decrease of drastics during the past decade could be observed. The dynamic processes taking place in the Korean wild populations ofD. melanogaster are discussed.Acknowledgment. This work was supported by a research grant from the Korean Science and Engineering Foundation.     

Chromosome variations inXenopsylla astia Rothschild, 1911 (Siphonaptera). A preliminary report

Summary 2 populations of rat fleas,Xenopsylla astia, collected from (A) Bombay and (B) Trivandrum, were found to differ in chromosome number as follows; (A) 2n=10 in both sexes; (B) 2n=18 (male) and 20 (female). Preliminary observations have further shown that the 2 populations differ in certain morphological characters and that their reciprocal hybrids are sterile in the male and partially sterile in the female sex.Acknowledgments. We wish to express our deepest gratitude to Dr Robert E. Lewis, Professor of Entomology, Iowa State University, USA, for confirming our identification of the 2 samples of rat fleas. We are indebted to Dr N.R. Prabhoo, Reader in Zoology, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, for his advice and helpful suggestions. We are also indebted to Prof. K.M. Alexander, for encouragement and providing facilities. Financial help of the University Grants Commission, India, to one of us (C.T.) is also gratefully acknowledged.     

Fluorescence replication banding of frog chromosomes

To identify individual chromosomes of a frog karyotype by their fluorescence banding patterns, chromosomes were stained with actinomycin D and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) after incorporation of BrdU during the late S-phase. The chromosomes of three Rana species which were selected for this study (R. ridibunda, R. lessonae and R. japonica) showed well-defined late replication bands. The fluorescence patterns obtained were the reverse of those produced by a 4Na-EDTA Giemsa-staining technique. Fluorescence patterns of the two water frog species (R. ridibunda and R. lessonae) were similar to each other, except for the different fluorescence of the centromeric heterochromatin, which gave extremely bright signals in R. ridibunda but no signal in R. lessonae. Experiments also showed differences between the fluorescence patterns of R. lessonae chromosome 13 in the Italian and Luxembourgian populations. These results sho w that the fluorescence replication banding using actinomycin D and DAPI is very effective in identifying individual frog chromosomes and detecting their structural changes. Received 7 June 1996; received after revision 23 July 1996; accepted 21 August 1996     

Evolution chromosomique chez genre Sorex: nouvelle information

Summary InSorex unguiculatus, a species closely related to the common shrew, 41 chromosomes were observed in the spermatogonia of two male specimens. The meiotic cells show about 21 formations at diakinesis and first maturation division metaphase. The mode of sex determination still remains unsatisfactorily clarified. However, the species investigated is of interest as a further instance of the very complex chromosomal evolution characterizing the genus Sorex. Within this genus, the observed variation in chromosome numbers now ranges from 21 to 41 at the diploid level.     

Cytogenetic observations on a monosomic inSesbania macrocarpa Muhl. (Leguminosae)

Summary Karyotypic analysis of a spontaneous monosomic plant isolated from a population ofSesbania macrocarpa (2n=4x=24) revealed that one chromosome of the smallest set was missing. The absence of this chromosome caused a deleterious effect on the meiotic system of the plant, resulting in total male and female sterility. The origin of the species in this context is discussed.Thanks are due to Dr B. D. Patil, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute for facilities and to Dr S. K. Gupta, for valuable suggestions.     

C-band differentiation between the chromosomes of two subspecies of the chironomid midgeChironomus thummi

Summary The metaphase chromosomes ofChironomus th. thummi contain approximately 17% more pericentric C-band heterochromatin than the chromosomes ofChironomus th. piger with 11% heterochromatin. InCh. th. thummi, the proportion of heterochromatin appeared to be much larger in metaphase chromosomes than in polytene chromosomes. This discrepancy is interpreted as being due to the specific chromosome organization and not as the result of an underreplication of heterochromatin during polytenization.