title: Codling moth cytogenetics: karyotype, chromosomal location of rDNA, and molecular differentiation of sex chromosomes.
abstract: We performed a detailed karyotype analysis in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), the key pest of pome fruit in the temperate regions of the world. The codling moth karyotype consisted of 2n = 56 chromosomes of a holokinetic type. The chromosomes were classified into 5 groups according to their sizes: extra large (3 pairs), large (3 pairs), medium (15 pairs), small (5 pairs), and dot-like (2 pairs). In pachytene nuclei of both sexes, a curious NOR (nucleolar organizer region) bivalent was observed. It carried 2 nucleoli, each associated with one end of the bivalent. FISH with an 18S ribosomal DNA probe confirmed the presence of 2 clusters of rRNA genes at the opposite ends of the bivalent. In accordance with this finding, 2 homologous NOR chromosomes were identified in mitotic metaphase, each showing hybridization signals at both ends. In highly polyploid somatic nuclei, females showed a large heterochromatin body, the so-called sex chromatin or W chromatin. The heterochromatin body was absent in male nuclei, indicating a WZ/ZZ (female/male) sex chromosome system. In keeping with the sex chromatin status, pachytene oocytes showed a sex chromosome bivalent (WZ) that was easily discernible by its heterochromatic W thread. To study molecular differentiation of the sex chromosomes, we employed genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). GISH detected the W chromosome by strong binding of the Cy3-labelled, female-derived DNA probe. With CGH, both the Cy3-labelled female-derived probe and Fluor-X labelled male-derived probe evenly bound to the W chromosome. This suggested that the W chromosome is predominantly composed of repetitive DNA sequences occurring scattered in other chromosomes but accumulated in the W chromosome. The demonstrated ways of W chromosome identification will facilitate the development of genetic sexing strains desirable for pest control using the sterile insect technique.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Entomology ASCR, Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Iva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fuková
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Frantisek
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marec
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005260:Female; D005819:Genetic Markers; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D009036:Moths / Q000235:genetics*; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000235:genetics; D012730:Sex Chromosomes
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D005819:Genetic Markers