title: First description of polytene chromosomes in biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae).
abstract: Polytene chromosomes are described from secretory cells in larvae of Forcipomyia nigra (Winnertz). They are present in large glandular-trichogen cells at the bases of secretory setae and in midgut cells that were observed by transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. Polytene chromosomes, isolated from the glandular-trichogen cells using aceto-orcein squash technique, measure 50-200 microm, have braid-like strands of chromatin and no bands, features that are unique within the Culicomorpha.
authors.affiliation: Department of Invertebrate Zoology, University of Gdańsk, Al. Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland. dokale@ug.edu.pl
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Urbanek
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szadziewski
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Giłka
authors.forename: Art
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borkent
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002519:Ceratopogonidae / Q000235:genetics*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007814:Larva / Q000235:genetics; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010078:Oxazines / Q000737:chemistry; D059007:Polytene Chromosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D058618:Sensilla / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D010078:Oxazines; C018437:aceto-orcein