Chromosome fusion polymorphisms in the grasshopper, Dichroplus fuscus (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Melanoplinae): Insights on meiotic effects

Robertsonian fusions account for many of the changes in the evolution of the orthopteran karyotype; in their origin, a centric fusion is involved between two acro-telocentric chromosomes, forming a single bi-armed chromosome. It is usual for these rearrangements to be associated with profound changes in meiosis, such as modification in frequency and distribution of chiasmata. Dichroplus fuscus is a South American grasshopper with a wide distribution. In this work we analyzed nine populations from Misiones Province, north-eastern Argentina. This species presents a standard karyotype of 2n = 23/24 (♂/♀) with all chromosomes acro-telocentric and an X0/XX chromosomal sex determining mechanism. This standard karyotype has been modified by the occurrence of two Robertsonian fusions involving chromosomes 1/3 and 2/4; values of fusions per individual (fpi) show a significant increase in the presence of karyotypic polymorphisms towards southern populations. In individuals showing chromosomal rearrangements, we observed a clear redistribution of chiasmata towards distal positions; significant differences were noted between Robertsonian homozygotes (Ho) and heterozygotes (Ht) for chromosomes arms L1 and M3, although this was not the case between Ho and Ht for chromosome arms L2 and M4. With regard to the orientation of trivalents, values obtained for non-convergent orientation were low.