Selective sweep of Wolbachia and parthenogenetic host genomes - the example of the weevil Eusomus ovulum.

Most parthenogenetic weevil species are postulated to have originated via hybridization, but Wolbachia has also been speculated to play a role via the induction of parthenogenesis. Here, we examine the molecular diversity of Wolbachia and parthenogenetic host genomes. The host species studied here, Eusomus ovulum, is known to be exclusively parthenogenetic and triploid. The E. ovulum populations that we examined had a low genetic diversity of mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I gene) and nuclear markers (internal transcribed spacer 2 and elongation factor 1-α gene), and they all were infected by only single bacteria strains (genotyped for five genes according to the multilocus sequence typing system). We found significant signs of linkage disequilibrium and a lack of recombination amongst all of the examined genomes (bacteria and host), which strongly indicates a selective sweep. The lack of heterozygosity in host nuclear genes, missing bisexual populations and selective sweep between the parthenogenetic host and bacteria genomes suggest that parthenogenesis in this species could have originated as a result of infection rather than hybridization. However, the finding that highly similar Wolbachia strains are also present in other parthenogenetic weevils from the same habitat suggests the opposite scenario: bacteria may have infected the already parthenogenetic lineage and taken advantage of the host's unisexual reproduction.

C-bands on chromosomes of 32 beetle species (Coleoptera: Elateridae, Cantharidae, Oedemeridae, Cerambycidae, Anthicidae, Chrysomelidae, Attelabidae and Curculionidae).

C-banding patterns of 32 beetle species from the families Elateridae, Cantharidae, Oedemeridae, Cerambycidae, Anthicidae, Chrysomelidae, Attelabidae and Curculionidae were studied using the C-banding technique. Mitotic and meiotic chromosomes were previously described for 14 species. From among 18 species that had never been cytogenetically studied, we determined the diploid and haploid chromosome numbers and the sex determination system for 12 beetles. The karyotype for 6 species is not described because of a lack of mitotic and meiotic metaphases. Results confirm that most of the beetle species possess a small amount of heterochromatin and C-positive segments are weakly visible in pachytene stages and weakly or imperceptible in mitotic and meiotic metaphases. In some species with a large amount of heterochromatin, C-bands were observed in the centromeric region in all autosomes and the X chromosome. The Y chromosome does not show C-bands with the exception of Oedemera viridis in which it possesses a small band of heterochromatin.

Cytogenetic investigations on seven Palaearctic weevil species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).

Cytogenetic investigations were carried out on seven species of bisexual weevils from five subfamilies. The following numbers of chromosomes were found in individual species: 2n = 22, n male = 10 + Xyp in Ptochus porcellus Boh. (Otiorhynchinae); 2n = 40, n male = 19 + Xyp in Larinodontes turbinatus Gyll. (Cleoninae); 2n = 26, n male = 12 + Xyp in Curculio pellitus (Boh.) (Curculioninae); 2n = 30, n male = 14 + Xyp in Acalles camelus (F.), Acalles echinatus (Germ.), Acalles hypocrita Boh. (Cryptorhynchinae), and 2n = 40, n male = 19 + Xyp in Cionus hortulanus (Foucr.) (Mecininae). The heterochromosomes of all the examined species form, in the first meiotic metaphase, a parachute bivalent. The chromosome number and sex determining system of six species and two genera are described for the first time.

Karyological notes on three weevil species from Armenia (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cleoninae).

Karyological studies were carried out on three Armenian weevil species from the subfamily Cleoninae. The following chromosome numbers were found in individual species: 2n = 38, n Male = 18 + Xyp in Menecleonus anxius (Gyllenhal, 1824), 2n = 40, n Male = 19 + Xyp in Conorhynchus nigrivittis (Pallas, 1781) and 2n = 44, n Male = 21 + Xyp in Lixus iridis Olivier, 1807. The heterochromosomes of all the examined species form, in the first meiotic metaphase, a typical parachute bivalent.

C-banding patterns in chromosomes and sperm of Strophosoma capitatum (De Geer, 1775) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Brachyderinae).

An analysis was made of the C-banded karyotype of Strophosoma capitatum (Deg.). The results indicate that the chromosome number is 2n = 22 and n Male = 10 + Xyp. The examined karyotype shows a pericentromeric position of constitutive heterochromatin in all autosomes. The shorter arm of the X chromosome is heterochromatic while the y chromosome is wholly euchromatic. Successive stages of spermatogenesis were analysed.

Karyological investigations on seven weevil species (Coleoptera, Curculionidae).

Karyological studies were carried out on seven Palaearctic weevils. The following chromosome numbers were found in individual species, i.e. Otiorhynchus niger (F.), Phyllobius viridearis (Laich.), Phyllobius scutellaris Redt., Phyllobius calcaratus (F.), Polydrusus cervinus (L.), and Brachyderes incanus (L.) 2n = 22, n Male = 10 + Xyp, in Lixus elegantulus (Boh.) 2n = 22, n Male = 21 + Xyp. The heterochromosomes of all the examined species form, in the first meiotic metaphase, a typical parachute bivalent.