Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Studies on Enchytraeidae IV

Preliminary report on chromosome numbers of 7 Danish genera

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

  1. 1.

    Chromosome numbers from 12 species of Enchytraeidae representing 7 genera are reported. The following numbers were found n: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 32 and 2n: 120–140 and 180–200.

  2. 2.

    Several cases of intraspecific chromosome variation are found, and both intra- and interspecific polyploidy has been observed.

  3. 3.

    The meiotic behaviour of the chromosomes in several polyploid species, and the absence of spermatozoa in one sexually mature species suggest parthenogenetic reproduction. Breakdown of sexual reproduction seems to be associated with polyploidy.

  4. 4.

    The taxonomical implications of the results are discussed in relation to Muldal's investigations of the Lumbricidae and his hypothesis as to the evolution of chromosome numbers in Oligochaeta.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Backlund, H. O.: Swedish Enchytraeidea. Kgl. fysiogr. Sällsk. Lund. Handl., N. F. 2 58, 1–31 (1947).

    Google Scholar 

  • Černosvitow, L.: Die Oligochaetenfauna der Karpathen. Zool. Jb., Abt. System., Ökol. u. Geogr. 55, 1–28 (1928).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Zur Kenntnis der Enchytraeiden. II. Zool. Anz. 105, 295–304 (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • Makino, S.: Chromosome numbers in animals. 1951.

  • Michaelsen, W.: Oligochaeta. Das Tierreich, Liefg 10. 1900.

  • —: Oligochaeta. Handbuch der Zoologie, Bd. II 8. 1928–1934.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muldal, S.: The chromosomes of the earthworms. Heredity 6, 55–76 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen, C. O.: Studies on Enchytraeidae. I. A technique for extracting Enchytraeidae from soil samples. Oikos 4, 187–196 (1952/53).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Studies on Enchytraeidae. II. Field studies. Natura Jutlandica 4, 1–58 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ude, H.: Oligochaeta. Die Tierwelt Deutschlands, Teil 15. 1929.

  • Vejdovsky, F.: Neue Untersuchungen über die Reifung und Befruchtung. Prag 1907.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Genetics, University of Copenhagen and Molslaboratoriet, Femmøller, Denmark

    Bent Christensen & C. Overgaard Nielsen

Authors
  1. Bent Christensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. Overgaard Nielsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Christensen, B., Nielsen, C.O. Studies on Enchytraeidae IV. Chromosoma 7, 460–468 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00329738

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00329738

Keywords

Search

Navigation