Evidence of B-chromosomes in the karyotype of Barypeithes pellucidus Boheman 1834 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae) from Central Europe.
B-chromosomes were observed in spermatogonial mitotic metaphases, meiotic metaphases I and II of Barpeithes pellucidus from one population in Slovakia. The number of B-chromosomes ranged from one to six per cell and they paired with the sex heterochromosomes in the first meiotic metaphase and rarely with the autosomes. In metaphase I one B-chromosome was always associated with X chromosome forming a tripartite complex. The XyBp was easily recognizable as a complex of three chromosomes in a parachute association The size of the B-chromosomes was approximately the same or a little smaller than that of the y heterochromosome which was the smallest element of the regular chromosome set. Their staining intensity seems to be similar to that of the autosomes and sex chromosomes, respectively. The behaviour of B-chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis in weevils is briefly discussed.
Holecová
Milada
M
Department of Zoology, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina B-l, 842-15 Bratislava, Slovakia. holecova@fns.uniba.sk
Rozek
Maria
M
Lachowska
Dorota
D
D000818:Animals; D002875:Chromosomes; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000235:genetics*; D005060:Europe; D007621:Karyotyping