Two types of highly ordered micro- and macrochromosome arrangement in metaphase plates of butterflies (Lepidoptera)

By

Lukhtanov, Vladimir

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019

Original Publication

Comparative cytogenetics : international journal of plant & animal cytogenetics, karyosystematics and molecular systematics

Volume

13

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

19-25

Subjects

Asymmetrical karyotype , bivalent , COI , Danainae , DNA barcoding , holocentric , holokinetic , Ithomiini , kinetochore , Lepidoptera , Meiosis , metaphase , Nymphalidae , Peru , spermatocyte , spindle

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

St. Petersburg, Russia [Published] with technical support of Zoological Institute RAS [2007]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/CompCytogen.v13i1.32614

 

Abstract

In karyotype of many organisms, chromosomes form two distinct size groups: macrochromosomes and microchromosomes. During cell divisions, the position of the macro- and microchromosomes is often ordered within metaphase plate. In many reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects of the orthopteran family Tettigoniidae and in some plants, a so called “reptilian” type organization is found, with microchromosomes situated in the center of metaphase plate and with macrochromosomes situated at the periphery. An opposite, “lepidopteran” type is known in butterflies and moths (i.e. in the order Lepidoptera) and is characterized by macrochromosomes situated in the center and by microchromosomes situated at the periphery. The anomalous arrangement found in Lepidoptera was previously explained by holocentric organization of their chromosomes. Here I analyse the structure of meiotic metaphase I plates in ithomiine butterfly, Forbestraolivencia (H. Bates, 1862) (Nymphalidae, Danainae, Ithomiini) which has a clear “reptilian” organization, contrary to previous observations in Lepidoptera. In this species large bivalents (i.e. macrochromosomes) form a regular peripheral circle, whereas the minute bivalents (i.e. microchromosomes) occupy the center of this circle. The reasons and possible mechanisms resulting in two drastically different spatial chromosome organization in butterflies are discussed.