Lack of detectable genetic recombination on the X chromosome during the parthenogenetic production of female and male aphids.
We used polymorphic microsatellite markers to look for recombination during parthenogenetic oogenesis between the X chromosomes of aphids of the tribe Macrosiphini. We examined the X chromosome because it comprises approximately 25 % of the genome and previous cytological observations of chromosome pairing and nucleolar organizer (NOR) heteromorphism suggest recombination, although the same is not true for autosomes. A total of 564 parthenogenetic females of Myzus clones with three distinct reproductive modes (cyclical parthenogenesis, obligate parthenogenesis and obligate parthenogenesis with male production) were genotyped at three informative X-linked loci. Also, parthenogenetically produced males from clones encompassing the full range of male-producing reproductive strategies were genotyped. These included 391 Myzus persicae males that were genotyped at three X-linked loci and 538 males from Sitobion clones that were genotyped at five informative X-linked loci. Our results show no departure from clonality in parthenogenetic generations of aphids of the tribe Macrosiphini: no recombinant genotypes were observed in parthenogenetically produced males or females.
Hales
F Dinah
FD
Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia. dhales@rna.bio.mq.edu.au
Wilson
Alex C C
AC
Sloane
Mathew A
MA
Simon
Jean-Christophe
JC
le Gallic
Jean-François
JF
Sunnucks
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D001042:Aphids / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D010312:Parthenogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014960:X Chromosome
D006570:Heterochromatin