High chromosomal mobility of rDNA clusters in holocentric chromosomes of Triatominae, vectors of Chagas disease (Hemiptera-Reduviidae)

The subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera-Reduviidae) includes more than 150 blood-sucking species, potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease. A distinctive cytogenetic characteristic of this group is the presence of extremely stable chromosome numbers. Unexpectedly, the analyses of the chromosomal location of ribosomal gene clusters and other repetitive sequences place Triatominae as a significantly diverse hemipteran subfamily. Here, we advance the understanding of Triatominae chromosomal evolution through the analysis of the 45S rDNA cluster chromosomal location in 92 Triatominae species. We found the 45S rDNA clusters in one to four loci per haploid genome with different chromosomal patterns: On one or two autosomes, on one, two or three sex chromosomes, on the X chromosome plus one to three autosomes. The movement of 45S rDNA clusters is discussed in an evolutionary context. Our results illustrate that rDNA mobility has been relatively common in the past and in recent evolutionary history of the group. The high frequency of rDNA patterns involving autosomes and sex chromosomes among closely related species could affect genetic recombination and the viability of hybrid populations, which suggests that the mobility of rDNA clusters could be a driver of species diversification.

M. Serrano A, Serrano J, Galián J. Patterns of rDNA chromosomal localization in Palearctic Cephalota and Cylindera (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Cicindelini) with different numbers of X-chromosomes

The ribosomal clusters of six Paleartic taxa belonging to the tiger beetle genera Cephalota Dokhtourow, 1883and Cylindera Westwood, 1831, with multiple sex chromosomes (XXY, XXXY and XXXXY) have been localised on mitotic and meiotic cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), using a PCR-amplified 18S rDNA fragment as a probe. Four patterns of rDNA localization in these tiger beetles were found: 1. Two clusters located in one autosomal pair; 2. Two clusters located in one autosomal pair and one in an X chromosome; 3. Three clusters located in three heterosomes (XXY); 4. Two clusters located in one autosomal pair and two in the heterosomes (one of the Xs and the Y). These results illustrate that ribosomal cistrons have changed their number and localization during the evolution of these genera, showing a dynamic rather than a conservative pattern. These changes in rDNA localization are uncoupled with changes in the number of autosomes and/or heterosomes. A mechanism that involves transposable elements that carry ribosomal cistrons appears to be the most plausible explanation for these dynamics that involve jumping from one location in the genome to another, in some cases leaving copies in the original location.

Cytogenetic analysis of two Coprophanaeus species (Scarabaeidae) revealing wide constitutive heterochromatin variability and the largest number of 45S rDNA sites among Coleoptera

The Coleopterans of Scarabaeinae clade presents Coprophanaeus (Megaphanaeus) ensifer and C. (Coprophanaeus) cyanescens (Scarabaeidae) when they are studied cytogenetically by different techniques. The species present symmetric karyotypes, diploid number of 2n=20, and meta-submetacentric chromosomes. C. (M.) ensifer present an XY sex-determining mechanism and C. (C.) cyanescens an XY(p) parachute mechanism. Analysis of constitutive heterochromatin (CH) in the two species revealed the presence of diphasic autosomes, with log arm heterochromatics. Moreover, an additional heterochromatic block in four autosomal bivalents were observed in C. (M.) ensifer. CMA(3)/DA/DAPI fluorochrome staining detected CMA(3) positive heterochromatic blocks restricted to the sex chromosomes in C. (C.) cyanescens, whereas in C. (M.) ensifer CMA(3) positive pericentromeric blocks were present in all autosomes, in the Y chromosome and in the four additional heterochromatic blocks. DAPI staining was neutral in both species. Silver nitrate (AgNO(3)) staining was inefficient for the detection of the nucleolar organizer region (NORs), but showed affinity for the heterochromatic regions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed the presence of 45S rDNA sites in the terminal region of the three autosomal bivalents of C. (C.) cyanescens and in seven bivalents and the Y chromosome of C. (M.) ensifer. These results contribute to a better understanding of chromosome evolution in the genus Coprophanaeus, and demonstrate a wide CH variability and the largest number of ribosomal sites among Coleoptera.

Geographically localised bursts of ribosomal DNA mobility in the grasshopper Podisma pedestris

We report extraordinary variation in the number and the chromosomal location of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) arrays within populations of the alpine grasshopper Podisma pedestris; even greater differences were found between populations. The sites were detected by in situ hybridisation of labelled rDNA to chromosomal preparations. The total number of rDNA sites in an individual varied from three to thirteen. In the most extreme case, individuals from populations only 10 km apart had no rDNA loci in common. A survey of the geographical distribution of this variation identified clusters of populations with relatively similar chromosomal distribution of rDNA loci. These clusters correspond to those identified earlier by analysis of rDNA sequences. To explain this geographical clustering, we reconstructed the post-glacial colonisation of the region by assuming that the species' distribution has ascended to its current altitudinal range as the climate warmed. The reconstruction suggests that each cluster is descended from a colonisation route up a different alpine valley. That history would imply rapid establishment of rDNA differences, conceivably during the last 10,000 years since the last glaciation. The proposal for rapid change is consistent with the extensive within-population variation, which indicates that the processes responsible for the change in rDNA's chromosomal location continue to occur at a higher rate. We discuss whether our reconstruction of colonisation routes implies movement of the hybrid zone, which would indicate that a neo-XY sex chromosome system has spread through extant populations.

Evolutionary chromosomal differentiation among four species of Conoderus Eschscholtz, 1829 (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Agrypninae, Conoderini) detected by standard staining, C-banding, silver nitrate impregnation, and CMA3/DA/DAPI staining

The speciose Brazilian Elateridae fauna is characterized by high karyotypic diversity, including one species (Chalcolepidius zonatus Eschscholtz, 1829) with the lowest diploid number within any Coleoptera order. Cytogenetic analysis of Conoderus dimidiatus Germar, 1839, C. scalaris (Germar, 1824,) C. ternarius Germar, 1839, and C. stigmosus Germar, 1839 by standard and differential staining was performed with the aim of establishing mechanisms of karyotypic differentiation in these species. Conoderus dimidiatus, C. scalaris, and C. ternarius have diploid numbers of 2n(male) = 17 and 2n(female) = 18, and a X0/XX sex determination system, similar to that encountered in the majority of Conoderini species. The karyotype of C. stigmosus was characterized by a diploid number of 2n = 16 and a neoXY/neoXX sex determination system that was highly differentiated from other species of the genus. Some features of the mitotic and meiotic chromosomes suggest an autosome/ancestral X chromosome fusion as the cause of the neoXY system origin in C. stigmosus. C-banding and silver impregnation techniques showed that the four Conoderus species possess similar chromosomal characteristics to those registered in most Polyphaga species, including pericentromeric C band and autosomal NORs. Triple staining techniques including CMA3/DA/DAPI also provided useful information for differentiating these Conoderus species. These techniques revealed unique GC-rich heterochromatin associated with NORs in C. scalaris and C. stigmosus and CMA3-heteromorphism in C. scalaris and C. ternarius.

Karyotypic characterization of representatives from Melolonthinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): karyotypic analysis, banding and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)

Meiotic chromosomes of Phyllophaga (Phytalus) vestita, Phyllophaga (Phyllophaga) aff capillata and Lyogenys fuscus (Melolonthinae) were analyzed by conventional staining, C-banding, fluorochromes, silver nitrate and FISH. The three species had a diploid number of 2n=20 and a sex mechanism of the (Xyp; XYp) parachute type. P. (Phytalus) vestita,P. (Phyllophaga) aff capillata and Lyogenys fuscus showed pericentromeric constitutive heterochromatin (CH) in all autosomal bivalents and on X chromosomes. Staining with CMA3 and DAPI fluorochromes showed that the CH of P. (Phytalus) vestita is not specifically rich in AT and GC-base pairs, whereas in P. (Phyllophaga) aff capillata the sex bivalent and one autosomal pair were found to be enriched in GC base pairs with CMA3, and in Lyogenys fuscus CH was positive for DAPI. Silver nitrate staining revealed nucleolar remnants in all three species. However, FISH obtained a precise identification of nucleolar organizing regions with an rDNA 18S and 25S probe. A signal of hybridization was seen in each species, being detected in the X chromosome of P. (Phytalus) vestita and Lyogenys fuscus, and in a small autosomal bivalent of P. (Phyllophaga) aff capillata.

Comparative FISH analysis in five species of Eyprepocnemidine grasshoppers

The chromosomal localization of ribosomal DNA, and a 180 bp satellite DNA isolated from Spanish Eyprepocnemis plorans specimens, has been analysed in five Eyprepocnemidinae species collected in Russia and Central Asia. Caucasian E. plorans individuals carried each of the two DNAs, but the rDNA was limited to only two chromosomes (S(9) and S(11)) in sharp contrast to Spanish specimens that show 4-8 rDNA clusters and to Moroccan specimens which carry rDNA in almost all chromosomes. The four remaining species, however, lacked the 180 bp tandem repeat, and showed rDNA clusters in one (S(9) in Thisoicetrinus pterostichus), two (S(9) and S(10) in Eyprepocnemis unicolor; M(8) and S(11) in Heteracris adspersa), or three (S(9), S(10), and S(11) in Shirakiacris shirakii) chromosome pairs. The implications of these findings for the evolution of these two chromosome markers in this group of species are discussed.

Sequential FISH analysis with rDNA genes and Ag-NOR banding in the lady beetle Olla v-nigrum (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

We have characterized the meiosis of Olla v-nigrum by standard analysis, performed a NOR study using NOR banding, FISH of rDNA genes and sequential FISH/AgNOR analysis, and adapted the FISH methodology to Coccinellidae. The chromosome number determined at metaphase I was n = 9 + Xyp. At zygotene it was possible to identify the sex vesicle which presented a deeply stained heteropycnotic block. Chromosome X is much larger than the y and the two combine, forming a "parachute" in metaphase I. FISH analysis using a probe of rDNA genes 18S, 28S and 5.8S of D. melanogaster was used to map the genes in the sex vesicle. The NOR band showed high gene activity in this region. These results were confirmed using sequential FISH/Ag NOR analysis. The data obtained for Olla v-nigrum agree with the classical hypothesis raised to explain the type of sex chromosome association in a parachute format (Xyp) as being due to the presence of nucleolar material. The chromosome number and parachute configuration during metaphase I in this species agree with the basic karyotype of most Coleopterans. The major adaptation of the FISH method was the simultaneous denaturation and hybridization that permitted preservation of chromosome morphology, an essential factor when the chromosomes are small.