Chromosoma

, Volume 39, Issue 3, pp 311–332 | Cite as

Preleptotene chromosome contraction in Lilium longiflorum “Croft”

  • Marta Sherman Walters
Article
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Abstract

A period of chromosome contraction between premeiotic interphase and leptotene was regularly observed in three samples of Lilium longiflorum “Croft”. Extensive preleptotene chromosome contraction was also observed in L. longiflorum “Ace” and in the Lilium hybrid “Enchantment”. Although the stage resembles late mitotic prophase, microsporocytes never develop to metaphase, but despiralize to leptotene, and regular alignment, pairing and chiasma formation follow. As preleptotene chromosome contraction is discovered in an increasing number of organisms it becomes less likely that it represents a true reversion to mitosis. However its absence in many organisms and its extreme variability in others do not support the concept of preleptotene chromosome contraction as a regular meiotic stage. It is suggested that the line of demarcation between mitosis and meiosis is often imprecise, and meiocytes may fluctuate to some extent between these states before a final transition to meiosis is made. The occurrence and extent of this fluctuation may possibly be related to some externally produced substances required for the orderly development of meiotic prophase.

Keywords

Developmental Biology Meiotic Prophase Final Transition Extreme Variability Meiotic Stage 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1972

Authors and Affiliations

  • Marta Sherman Walters
    • 1
  1. 1.Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara

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