scholarly journals The evolution of chromosome numbers: mechanistic models and experimental approaches

Author(s):  
Itay Mayrose ◽  
Martin A Lysak

Abstract Chromosome numbers have been widely used to describe the most fundamental genomic attribute of an organism or a lineage. While providing strong phylogenetic signal, chromosome numbers vary remarkably among eukaryotes at all levels of taxonomic resolution. Changes in chromosome numbers regularly serve as indication of major genomic events, most notably polyploidy and dysploidy. Here, we review recent advancements in our ability to make inferences regarding historical events that led to alterations in the number of chromosomes of a lineage. We first describe the mechanistic processes underlying changes in chromosome numbers, focusing on structural chromosomal rearrangements. Then, we focus on experimental procedures, encompassing comparative cytogenomics and genomics approaches, and on computational methodologies that are based on explicit models of chromosome-number evolution. Together, these tools offer valuable predictions regarding historical events that have changed chromosome numbers and genome structures, as well as their phylogenetic and temporal placements.

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170
Author(s):  
Tiago Marafiga Degrandi ◽  
Jean Carlo Pedroso de Oliveira ◽  
Amanda de Araújo Soares ◽  
Mario Angel Ledesma ◽  
Iris Hass ◽  
...  

Kingfishers comprise about 115 species of the family Alcedinidae, and are an interesting group for cytogenetic studies, for they are among birds with most heterogeneous karyotypes. However, cytogenetics knowledge in Kingfishers is extremely limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the karyotype structure of the Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryletorquata Linnaeus, 1766) and Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryleamericana Gmelin, 1788) and also compare them with related species in order to identify chromosomal rearrangements. The Ringed Kingfisher presented 2n = 84 and the Green Kingfisher had 2n = 94. The increase of the chromosome number in the Green Kingfisher possibly originated by centric fissions in macrochromosomes. In addition, karyotype comparisons in Alcedinidae show a heterogeneity in the size and morphology of macrochromosomes, and chromosome numbers ranging from 2n = 76 to 132. Thus, it is possible chromosomal fissions in macrochromosomes resulted in the increase of the diploid number, whereas chromosome fusions have originated the karyotypes with low diploid number.


Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bokyung Choi ◽  
Hanna Weiss-Schneeweiss ◽  
Eva M. Temsch ◽  
Soonku So ◽  
Hyeon-Ho Myeong ◽  
...  

Chromosome numbers, karyotypes, and genome sizes of 14 Iris L. (Iridaceae Juss.) species in Korea and their closely related taxon, Sisyrinchium rosulatum, are presented and analyzed in a phylogenetic framework. To date, understanding the chromosomal evolution of Korean irises has been hampered by their high chromosome numbers. Here, we report analyses of chromosome numbers and karyotypes obtained via classic Feulgen staining and genome sizes measured using flow cytometry in Korean irises. More than a two-fold variation in chromosome numbers (2n = 22 to 2n = 50) and over a three-fold genome size variation (2.39 pg to 7.86 pg/1 C) suggest the putative polyploid and/or dysploid origin of some taxa. Our study demonstrates that the patterns of genome size variation and chromosome number changes in Korean irises do not correlate with the phylogenetic relationships and could have been affected by different evolutionary processes involving polyploidy or dysploidy. This study presents the first comprehensive chromosomal and genome size data for Korean Iris species. Further studies involving molecular cytogenetic and phylogenomic analyses are needed to interpret the mechanisms involved in the origin of chromosomal variation in the Iris.


2020 ◽  
Vol 193 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-418
Author(s):  
Raquel B Chiavegatto ◽  
Angelino Carta ◽  
Diego G S Pereira ◽  
Flavio R G Benites ◽  
Vânia H Techio ◽  
...  

Abstract The chromosome number in Poaceae has changed widely over 77 Myr of evolution and polyploidization. Chromosome number changes can suggest a high rate of diversification and evolutionary novelties, and such changes can contribute to speciation. Despite this, chromosome numbers alone do not allow the evolutionary history of a group to be traced. Combined phylogenetic and karyological analyses can clarify the evolutionary history of taxa and allow taxonomic relationships and hierarchical levels to be inferred. The subtribe Eleusininae is the largest of the subfamily Chloridoideae. This study aims to reconstruct their chromosome number evolution, for which ChromEvol 2.0 software was used. Haploid chromosome numbers of Eleusininae were retrieved from the literature, and a consensus phylogenetic tree of Eleusininae was reconstructed. It was possible to infer 41 events of chromosome rearrangements along the evolutionary history of Eleusininae, according to the probabilistic model used. Chromosome number evolution in Eleusininae was mainly influenced by polyploidy events. The ancestral basic chromosome number for Eleusininae was p = 6, but the most recent common ancestor showed p2 = 10. In addition, some derived basic chromosome numbers, such as x = 9, arose through dysploidy, whereas x = 20 was generated via polyploidy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Yavuz Koçak ◽  
Elmas Yağmur

Information on the karyotypes of Turkish species of Cerambycidae is scanty. Our study contributes to the knowledge of the karyological data (chromosomal number and mechanism of sex determination) of five Turkish longicorn beetles; karyotypes of four taxa, one endemic, are described for the first time and for the remaining one, Purpuricenus budensis (Götz, 1783), the previously published chromosome count is confirmed. The chromosome number of Purpuricenus desfontainii inhumeralis Pic, 1891 and Purpuricenus budensis (Götz, 1783) (Cerambycinae, Trachyderini) was found to be 2n = 28 (13 + Xyp); Clytus rhamni Germar, 1817 and Plagionotus floralis (Pallas, 1773) (Cerambycinae, Clytini) 2n = 20 (9 + Xyp); and the endemic Dorcadion triste phrygicum Peks, 1993 (Lamiinae, Dorcadionini) 2n = 24 (11 + Xyp). In view of the paucity of data available until now, our study is important for both to improve the poor karyological knowledge of Turkish Cerambycidae and to provide an incentive for other researchers.


2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (1-6) ◽  
pp. 219-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Jun ◽  
Ren Bao-Qing ◽  
Luo Peigao ◽  
Ren Zhenglong

Abstract Alnus Mill. (alder) is an ecologically valuable tree genus. It is essential to study its genetic makeup in order to use alder trees to their full potential. Five specimens from four Alnus species (A. mandshurica, A. pendula, A. sibirica, and A. sieboldiana), found in northeastern Asia, were subjected to karyotype analysis. The analysis showed that these tree samples could be divided into three categories based on chromosome numbers or ploidy levels: viz., 2n = (4x) = 28, 2n = (8x) = 56 and 2n = (16x) = 112. The differences in chromosome number and karyotype parameters among Alnus species and even within the same species possibly resulted from natural polyploidization. Comparing the chromosome numbers of Alnus species in China with those in Japan showed that there appear to be only two categories in China, whereas there are up to five categories in Japan. The earliest fossil records of Alnus pollen were also discovered in Japan. We conclude that the center origin of Alnus spp. is Japan rather than China.


2006 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Katie Hansen ◽  
Lawrence E. Gilbert ◽  
Beryl B. Simpson ◽  
Stephen R. Downie ◽  
Armando C. Cervi ◽  
...  

1960 ◽  
Vol s3-101 (56) ◽  
pp. 395-400
Author(s):  
S. DASGUPTA ◽  
A. P. AUSTIN

The chromosome numbers of Hydroides norvegica, Mercierella enigmatica, and Pomatoceros triqueter were determined from squashes of somatic cells in young embryos obtained by artificial fertilization, and stained with iron-alum/aceto-carmine. All had a diploid count of zn = 26 chromosomes. Mitotic and meiotic divisions in the 5 species of Spirorbis examined, and in Filograna implexa, all revealed a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 20. A diploid chromosome number of 14 is suggested for the ancestral serpulid.


Bothalia ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Spies ◽  
E. J. L. Saayman ◽  
S. P. Voges ◽  
G. Davidse

Cytogenetic studies of 53 specimens of 14 species of the genus  Ehrharta Thunb. confirmed a basic chromosome number of 12 for the genus. Chromosome numbers for 13 species are described for the first time. The highest ploidy level yet observed in the genus (2n = lOx = 120) is reported for E. villosa var.  villosa. B chromosomes were observed in several specimens of four different species.


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