Light and Electron Microscopy of the Chromosomes of Hyacinthoides Non-Scripta (L.) Chouard Ex Rothm

J. White, G. Jenkins

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4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The ultrastructure and pairing behaviour of meiotic chromosomes has been studied by light and electron microscopy in Hyacintboides non-scripta (L.) Chouard ex Rothm. Eight bivalents with high chiasma frequencies are regularly formed at metaphase I of meiosis and disjunction is largely normal. Surface spread preparations of pachytene nuclei revealed synaptonemal complexes of similar appearance and dimensions to those of other plant species, but differed from many in possessing unusual features such as thickenings and terminal overlaps of the lateral components. The exceptional clarity of centromeres following simple silver staining enabled synaptonemal complex karyotypes to be constructed from surface spread pachytene nuclei. These bore a remarkable similarity to those obtained from length measurements of chromosomes at metaphase II of meiosis, despite a 20-fold difference in length between the two stages. The interlocking of chromosomes during pachytene and variation in the sites of nucleolar organising activity were also noted.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)157-166
Number of pages10
JournalCaryologia
Volume40
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Jan 1987

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