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The chromosomes of zooparasites

I. Acanthocephalus ranae (Acanthocephala: echinorhynchidae)

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Summary

  1. 1.

    A. ranae. has eight metacentric mitotic chromosomes. Two of these are mediocentric and are sex chromosomes, homozygous (XX) in the female and heterozygous (XY) in the male.

  2. 2.

    Meiosis is chiasmate in both sexes. During the first division of the oocyte there is a pronounced pre-stretching of the bivalents.

  3. 3.

    The extent and duration of the pre-stretch phase may be genotypically controlled, providing an increased time margin for the congression of the bivalents.

  4. 4.

    Variations in the pattern of egg maturation may depend on the variable contribution of the sperm nucleus in modifying existing physicochemical conditions in the unfertilised egg. InA. ranae, amongst other species, this contribution is necessary to initiate egg meiosis. In other species it seems to be related to the development and/or the activity of the spindle apparatus during meiosis while in still others it is necessary solely to provide an organiser for the first cleavage spindle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, University College of S. Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff

    Bernard John

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  1. Bernard John
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John, B. The chromosomes of zooparasites. Chromosoma 8, 730–738 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01259531

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01259531

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