Summary
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1.
The pre-metaphase stretch is found to be a normal stage in male meiosis in six species of phasmids.
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2.
Its essential features are a precocious orientation of the kinetochores and their movement toward opposite poles of the developing spindle in first meiotic prophase, — with a consequent stretching of the chromosomes. It is followed by recontraction of the chromosomes and their movement to the equator. Attraction beween kinetochore and center, reinforced by the effect of elongation of the spindle, is considered responsible for the movements of the stretch.
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3.
The pre-metaphase stretch in phasmids differs from that of mantids in (1) its timing relative to meiotic stage, and (2) its expression in one species in the prophase of both meiotic divisions.
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4.
The distribution of the stretch in nature, and its significance for the mechanism of mitosis are discussed.
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Hughes-Schrader, S. The “pre-metaphase stretch” and kinetochore orientation in phasmids. Chromosoma 3, 1–21 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319466
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00319466