No harmful effects of a selfish B chromosome on several morphological and physiological traits in Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

Effects of B chromosomes on a number of morphological and physiological traits were analysed in 33 controlled crosses performed with Locusta migratoria specimens collected in a natural population close to Granada (Spain). The results show highly significant differences among families, but the absenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Heredity 1998-06, Vol.80 (6), p.753-759
Main Authors: Castro, A J, Perfectti, F, Pardo, M C, Cabrero, J, López-León, M D, Camacho, J P M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
B chromosome effects
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cytogenetics
Ecology
Evolutionary Biology
Human Genetics
Locusta migratoria
original-article
parasitic B chromosome
Plant Genetics and Genomics
selfish B chromosome
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Summary:Effects of B chromosomes on a number of morphological and physiological traits were analysed in 33 controlled crosses performed with Locusta migratoria specimens collected in a natural population close to Granada (Spain). The results show highly significant differences among families, but the absence of any significant effect of Bs on the individuals carrying them. There was, however, a slightly negative relationship between body size, somatic weight and somatic condition of the progeny and the presence of a high number of Bs in the parents, mostly in the mother. This suggests a possible harmful effect of these B chromosomes on egg allocation of substances regulating the initial stages of development. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the present understanding of the selfish theory of B chromosome evolution. It is proposed that selfishness and parasitism are two different properties of B chromosomes that should be considered separately.
ISSN:0018-067X
1365-2540
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2540.1998.00350.x