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Production of WW super females by diploid gynogenesis in Xenopus laevis

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Summary

In Xenopus laevis, which does not show sex chromosomal dimorphism, the female is heterogametic (WZ) and the male is homogametic (ZZ). By activating eggs with UV-irradiated spermatozoa, and by inhibiting the formation of the second polar body gynogenetic diploids were obtained, including some WW females. These super-females are fertile and not sublethal; by gynogenetic reproduction they in turn generate only WW females, while after mating with a male they give rise to WZ females exclusively.

From the sex ratio of the gynogenetic progeny of normal WZ females, the map distance between the centromere and the sex determining gene(s) has been calculated. By examining the sex ratio and the distribution of individuals exhibiting the phenotype of periodic albinism in the gynogenetic offspring of ap/+females, it has been demonstrated that the ap gene and the sex determining gene(s) are not linked.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Station de Zoologie expérimentale, University of Geneva, 154, route de Malagnou, CH-1224, Chêne-Bougeries/Geneva, Switzerland

    B. Colombelli, Ch. H. Thiébaud & W. P. Müller

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  1. B. Colombelli
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  2. Ch. H. Thiébaud
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  3. W. P. Müller
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Communicated by M.M. Green

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Colombelli, B., Thiébaud, C.H. & Müller, W.P. Production of WW super females by diploid gynogenesis in Xenopus laevis . Molec. Gen. Genet. 194, 57–59 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383497

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383497

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