Holocentric chromosomes in meiosis. II. The modes of orientation and segregation of a trivalent

Abstract

The modes of orientation and segregation of the sex chromosome trivalent X1X2Y in male meiosis of Cacopsylla mali (Psylloidea, Homoptera) were analysed. Males with an X1X2Y sex chromosome system coexist with males displaying a neo-XY system in populations of this species. The fusion chromosome resulting in the formation of a trivalent in meiosis originates from the fusion of an autosome with the neo-Y chromosome. In the majority of metaphase I cells (92.4%) the X1X2Y trivalent showed co-orientation; X1 and X2 chromosomes oriented towards one pole whereas the Y oriented towards the opposite pole. In the rest of the cells (7.6%) the trivalent with subterminal chiasmata was oriented parallel to the equatorial plane. From this orientation the trivalent produced triple chromatids joined together by undivided telomeric parts of chromosomes and hence by sister chromatid cohesion at anaphase I. In the majority of metaphase II cells the orientation of triple chromatids suggested the production of unbalanced gametes. However, in a small number of cells (1.7%) the trivalent showed co-orientation of X1X2 with Y. Both the first division and second division co-orientations, or 94.1% of divisions as a whole, were estimated to yield balanced gametes, containing either X1 and X2 chromosomes or Y chromosome. It was concluded that, since the triple chromatid contained undivided telomere regions at metaphase II, which divided at anaphase II, the orientation of the trivalent with its longitudinal axis parallel to the equatorial plane in metaphase I also represents co-orientation and results in pre-reduction. The existence of post-reductional behaviour of holocentric bivalents and multivalents is discussed.