TRANSMISSION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF B CHROMOSOMES IN ANTHURIUM WAROCQUEANUM

• Published in: American journal of botany Vol. 70; no. 1; p. 40
• Main Authors: Marutani, Mari, Kamemoto, Haruyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.1983
• ISSN: 1537-2197
• DOI: 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1983.tb12429.x

Somatic and meiotic chromosomes of one plant of Anthurium warocqueanum J. Moore and its selfed offspring were analyzed. The parent showed 2n = 30 + 3B in both somatic cells and pollen mother cells. The B chromosomes divided normally in somatic cells, but meiotic associations of Bs varied. Three configurations of three B chromosomes were observed at metaphase I of parent meiosis: one trivalent, one bivalent and one univalent, or three univalents. The number of B chromosomes in offspring ranged from 0 to 6, indicating their transmission from both male and female gametes. Offspring with two B chromosomes appeared in greatest frequency. It was hypothesized that both male and female gametes of the 3 B parent frequently contained one B chromosome through the normal distribution of the bivalent Bs at meiosis and the elimination of the univalent B chromosome due to lagging. Examination of pollen mother cells of offspring also revealed irregular behavior of B chromosomes. With a high number of B chromosomes, normal A chromosome bivalent formation seemed to be reduced. No phenotypic effects of B chromosomes were observed.