ISSN:
1432-0886
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The meiotic process in PMCs of Hypochoeris maculata is progressively disrupted in the presence of two or more B-chromosomes. Bivalent formation and chiasma conditions are unaffected by up to 3Bs although some univalence occurs with higher numbers. Spindle behaviour, however, is inefficient at both first and second division in the presence of two or more Bs. At metaphase I, regular equatorial alignment breaks down and A-bivalents sometimes show amphitelic or monosyntelic orientation. Anaphase I is characterised by irregular segregation, equatorial laggards and centric division products. The proportion of normal anaphase segregations declines by 20% for every B more than one. A-chromosome laggards, but not Bs, can induce nuclear restitution at telophase I. Following centric division at anaphase II poleward movement can fail leading to further nuclear restitution. Telophase II nuclei thus can be approximately haploid, diploid or tetraploid with aneuploid variation around the haploid and diploid levels. The frequency of numerical mutants in the offspring indicates that EMC meiosis is much less susceptible to the presence of Bs than PMC meiosis: only 4- and 5Bt plants have an enhanced frequency of numerically-aberrant offspring. The deleterious effects of Bs on meiotic efficiency will contribute to setting an upper limit on B-numbers in natural populations of this species.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00293170
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