scholarly journals Relative frequencies of the “sex-ratio” inversion in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura from Mexico

Genetika ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Salceda

Sex-ratio (proportion of males) in a species is related to a not entirely explained mechanism of sex determination. In Drosophila, sex is determined by the proportion of X chromosomes vs. autosomes. A decrease in the proportion of males vs. females, known as sex-ratio, is characteristic to several Drosophila species, and is related to an inversion in the sexual chromosome the so called ?sex-ratio? (SR) condition. In this occasion we study the presence of that inversion in several populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura from Mexico. With this purpose we did collections of this species on Nevado de Colima,Col., Valpara?so, Zac, Zirahu?n, Mich., Tulancingo, Hgo. and Amecameca, Mex. Flies were captured in nature and carried to the laboratory were individual cultures of each female were established, when the offsprig emerged salivary glands of a single larva from each culture were extracted and stained with an aceto-orcein solution and the corresponding genotype for the third and sex chromosome determined and their relative frequencies calculated. The corresponding frequencies of the ?sex-ratio? inversion in the localities analyzed were: Nevado de Colima 21.8 %, Valparaiso 18.8 %, Zirahu?n 11.4 %, Tulancingo 6.8 % and Amecameca 6.8 %. Apparently an East-West cline distribution is present in these populations. Relative frequencies for inversions in the third chomosome were recorded and relationships between third and X chromosomes inversions performed. Comparisons with similar studies on this and other species are pointed out.

Genetika ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Salceda ◽  
Carolina Arceo-Maldonado

Most species show an equal proportion of individuals of both sexes. In diploid species sex ratio is determined by a genic balance between sex chromosomes. In Drosophila sex is determined by the ratio of X- chromosomes versus autosomes and in some species of the genus it is related to the presence of an inversion in the sex chromosome. The present work analyses the sex ratio in 27 natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura that inhabit Mexico. Female flies captured in nature were counted and their sex ratio calculated and been called generation P, then cultured individualy, allowed to leave adult offspring which was quantified in order to get its sex ratio and designated generation F1. sex ratio was calculated using the expression: number of males times 100 divided by the number of females proposed by Darwin (1871). The sex ratio of each population was taken using the average of all the individual counts from each sample. The values found varied among different generations and populations, so for generation P their values varieded 37.4 to 190.4 and in generation F1 from 31.3 up to 96.4 males for each 100 females. According to their geographical distribution four North to South transects were arranged and in them means varied from 60.8 to 81.7 males for each 100 females. All this means that in Mexican population are more females than males, exceptionally more males than females.


Genetika ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Salceda ◽  
Judith Guzmán ◽  
Olga Olvera

Samples of D. pseudoobscura were taken in seventeen localities in Central Mexico inside the parallels 18o - 20o N, with the purpose of determine the chromosomal polymorphism in the third of the different populations of this species. From each captured female a single larva of its offspring was taken, its salivary glands extracted and stained with a solution of aceto orcein to observe the polytene chromosomes. From these smears the corresponding karyotype of each larva was determined, keeping a record of them. With the information gathered the relative frequency of each one of the fourteen different inversions found was calculated. A grand total of 1894 third chromosomes were analyzed. The fourteen different inversions found are equivalent to a 34.1 % of the total chromosomal variation of the species. The most abundant inversions found were: TL 50.6 %, CU 27.2 5, SC 9.1 % and EP 5.5 %; the remaining ten inversions detected are in general grounds rare ones with variable relative frequencies depending on the locality. Analysis of the predominant inversions for each population was done. The presence of West-East gradients is reported, even if in cases not so well defined, since as one moves in a particular direction the ups and downs in relative frequency for the alternating pairs TL-CU; TL-SC in the western populations and TL-CU in the eastern ones were observed. The assignment of each population to a particular race was also done, and such a way we were able to recognize three different races coexisting in the area of study.


Genetika ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78
Author(s):  
Víctor Salceda ◽  
Judith Guzmán

Chromosomal polymorphism in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura have been broadly studied in the USA but scarcely in Mexico where only about 60 localities have been analyzed. Differences among both regions are notorious with respect to their chromosomal constitution. Northern populations, those of USA, have as representative inversions the sequences ST, AR and CH contrasting with those in Southern populations (Mexico) in which prevail the gene arrangements TL, CU and SC. Assuming as a probable mechanism that has allowed these substitutions the flow generated by the presence of a North - South clines, we took as a goal find out if such clines really exist. With that objective in mind we studied 29 populations of this species distributed along four North - South transects. Specimens of D. pseudoobscura caught by attracting them with fermenting bananas were carried to the laboratory where from each female an isofemale line was established. When their offspring appeared a single larva from each isofemale was taken, its salivary glands extracted and stained with a solution of lacto- aceto- orcein, by these means the polytene chromosomes were obtained. On these chromosomes we identified, for each larva, the inversion (s) carried in the third chromosome, in such a way 3439 third chromosomes were analyzed. Among the 29 localities we identified 17 different inversions but the number of them varied from population to population from three to eleven. Relative frequencies of each inversion at every location were calculated and with them for each transect the presence or absence of clines was determined. Among each transect the existence of clines was observed only between two or three near by populations, but we were not able to find a clear manifestation of the presence of clines along a complete transect. Our results at this respect are similar to those previously reported for USA populations. A mechanism that explains North - South substitutions of predominant inversions remains as open question.


Genetika ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-167
Author(s):  
Víctor Salceda

Chromosomal polymorphism in natural populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura have been broadly studied in the USA but scarcely in Mexico where only about 60 localities have been analyzed. Differences among both regions are notorious with respect to their chromosomal constitution. Northern populations, those of USA, have as representative inversions the sequences ST, AR and CH contrasting with those in Southern populations (Mexico) in which prevail the gene arrangements TL, CU and SC. Assuming as a probable mechanism that has allowed these substitutions the flow generated by the presence of a North - South clines, we took as a goal find out if such clines really exist. With that objective in mind we studied 29 populations of this species distributed along four North - South transects. Specimens of D. pseudoobscura caught by attracting them with fermenting bananas were carried to the laboratory where from each female an isofemale line was established. When their offspring appeared a single larva from each isofemale was taken, its salivary glands extracted and stained with a solution of lacto-aceto- orcein, by these means the polytene chromosomes were obtained. On these chromosomes we identified, for each larva, the inversion (s) carried in the third chromosome, in such a way 3439 third chromosomes were analyzed. Among the 29 localities we identified 17 different inversions but the number of them varied from population to population from three to eleven. Relative frequencies of each inversion at every location were calculated and with them for each transect the presence or absence of clines was determined. Among each transect the existence of clines was observed only between two or three near by populations, but we were not able to find a clear manifestation of the presence of clines along a complete transect. Our results at this respect are similar to those previously reported for USA populations. A mechanism that explains North - South substitutions of predominant inversions remains as open question.


Genetics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 147 (3) ◽  
pp. 1169-1180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daven C Presgraves ◽  
Emily Severance ◽  
Gerald S Willrinson

Meiotically driven sex chromosomes can quickly spread to fixation and cause population extinction unless balanced by selection or suppressed by genetic modifiers. We report results of genetic analyses that demonstrate that extreme female-biased sex ratios in two sister species of stalk-eyed flies, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni and C. whitei, are due to a meiotic drive element on the X chromosome (Xd). Relatively high frequencies of Xd in C. dalmanni and C. whitei (13–17% and 29%, respectively) cause female-biased sex ratios in natural populations of both species. Sex ratio distortion is associated with spermatid degeneration in male carriers of Xd. Variation in sex ratios is caused by Y-linked and autosomal factors that decrease the intensity of meiotic drive. Y-linked polymorphism for resistance to drive exists in C. dalmanni in which a resistant Y chromosome reduces the intensity and reverses the direction of meiotic drive. When paired with Xd, modifying Y chromosomes (Ym) cause the transmission of predominantly Y-bearing sperm, and on average, production of 63% male progeny. The absence of sex ratio distortion in closely related monomorphic outgroup species suggests that this meiotic drive system may predate the origin of C. whitei and C. dalmanni. We discuss factors likely to be involved in the persistence of these sex-linked polymorphisms and consider the impact of Xd on the operational sex ratio and the intensity of sexual selection in these extremely sexually dimorphic flies.


Development ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 101 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. 3-4
Author(s):  
Anne McLaren

In the first two papers of this volume, the genetic control of sex determination in Caenorhabditis and Drosophila is reviewed by Hodgkin and by Nöthiger & Steinmarin-Zwicky, respectively. Sex determination in both cases depends on the ratio of X chromosomes to autosomes, which acts as a signal to a cascade of règulatory genes located either on autosomes or on the X chromosome. The state of activity of the last gene in the sequence determines phenotypic sex. In the third paper, Erickson & Tres describe the structure of the mouse Y chromosome and the polymorphisms that have been detected in different mouse species and strains. As in all mammals, the Y carries the primary male-determining locus; autosomal genes may also be involved in sex determination, but they must act down-stream from the Y-linked locus.


2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 562-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Montchamp-Moreau

The sex-ratio trait, reported in a dozen Drosophila species, is a type of naturally occurring meiotic drive in which the driving elements are located on the X chromosome. Typically, as the result of a shortage of Y-bearing spermatozoa, males carrying a sex-ratio X chromosome produce a large excess of female offspring. The presence of sex-ratio chromosomes in a species can have considerable evolutionary consequences, because they can affect individual fitness and trigger extended intragenomic conflict. Here, I present the main results of the study performed in Drosophila simulans. In this species, the loss of Y-bearing spermatozoa is related to the inability of the Y chromosome sister-chromatids to separate properly during meiosis II. Fine genetic mapping has shown that the primary sex-ratio locus on the X chromosome contains two distorter elements acting synergistically, both of which are required for drive expression. One element has been genetically mapped to a tandem duplication. To infer the natural history of the trait, the pattern of DNA sequence polymorphism in the surrounding chromosomal region is being analysed in natural populations of D. simulans harbouring sex-ratio X chromosomes. Initial results have revealed the recent spread of a distorter allele.


2003 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
ASHER D. CUTTER ◽  
LETICIA AVILÉS ◽  
SAMUEL WARD

The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an example of a species in which self-fertilizing hermaphrodites predominate, but functional males continue to persist – allowing outcrossing to persevere at low levels. Hermaphrodites can produce male progeny as a consequence of sex chromosome non-disjunction or via outcrossing with males. Consequently, the genetics of sex determination coupled with the efficiency by which males find, inseminate and obtain fertilizations with hermaphrodites will influence the frequency at which males and outcrossing occurs in such populations. Behavioural and physiological traits with a heritable basis, as well as ecological characters, may influence male reproductive success and therefore sex ratio. Because sex ratio is tied to male reproductive success, sex ratio greatly affects outcrossing rates, patterns of genetic variation, and the ability of natural selection to act within populations. In this paper we explore the determinants of male frequency in C. elegans with a mathematical model and experimental data. We address the role of the genetic machinery of sex determination via sex chromosome non-disjunction on sex ratio and the influence of physiological components of C. elegans' life history that contribute to variation in sex ratio by way of male reproductive success. Finally, we discuss the short-term and long-term factors that are likely to affect sex ratio and breeding system evolution in species like C. elegans.


Genes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana A. Romanenko ◽  
Antonina V. Smorkatcheva ◽  
Yulia M. Kovalskaya ◽  
Dmitry Yu. Prokopov ◽  
Natalya A. Lemskaya ◽  
...  

The mandarin vole, Lasiopodomys mandarinus, is one of the most intriguing species among mammals with non-XX/XY sex chromosome system. It combines polymorphism in diploid chromosome numbers, variation in the morphology of autosomes, heteromorphism of X chromosomes, and several sex chromosome systems the origin of which remains unexplained. Here we elucidate the sex determination system in Lasiopodomys mandarinus vinogradovi using extensive karyotyping, crossbreeding experiments, molecular cytogenetic methods, and single chromosome DNA sequencing. Among 205 karyotyped voles, one male and three female combinations of sex chromosomes were revealed. The chromosome segregation pattern and karyomorph-related reproductive performances suggested an aberrant sex determination with almost half of the females carrying neo-X/neo-Y combination. The comparative chromosome painting strongly supported this proposition and revealed the mandarin vole sex chromosome systems originated due to at least two de novo autosomal translocations onto the ancestral X chromosome. The polymorphism in autosome 2 was not related to sex chromosome variability and was proved to result from pericentric inversions. Sequencing of microdissection derived of sex chromosomes allowed the determination of the coordinates for syntenic regions but did not reveal any Y-specific sequences. Several possible sex determination mechanisms as well as interpopulation karyological differences are discussed.


Development ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 112 (3) ◽  
pp. 863-879 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schedin ◽  
C.P. Hunter ◽  
W.B. Wood

The primary sex-determining signal in Caenorhabditis elegans is the ratio of X chromosomes to sets of autosomes (X/A ratio), normally 1.0 in hermaphrodites (XX) and 0.5 in males (XO). XX triploids (X/A = 0.67) are males, but if these animals carry a partial duplication of the X chromosome such that X/A approximately equal to 0.7, they develop as intersexes that are sexually mosaic. We have analyzed these mosaics using Nomarski microscopy and in situ hybridization to obtain information on whether sex determination decisions can be made independently in different cells and tissues, and when these commitments are made. The observed patterns of male and female cells in individual animals indicate that sex determination decisions can be influenced by anterior-posterior position and that sex determination decisions can be made as late as the third larval stage of postembryonic development. Although these decisions clearly can be made independently in different lineages, they show substantial biases toward one sex or the other in individual animals. We interpret these results to suggest that sex determination in C. elegans is not entirely cell autonomous.


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