Abstract
Dinoflagellate chromosomes are highly interesting because of their condensed state, their lack of histone, and their ultrastructure reminiscent of that of bacterial nucleoid. With the use of a highly sensitive resolution polarization microscope coupled with electron microscope observations, and by studying and comparing a great variety of species, we confirm the intrinsic nature of birefringence and bring new data about the evolution of interphasic chromosomes among dinoflagellates. Three types are observed: the A-type, characterized by positive birefringence, condensed state, and lack of basic proteins; the B-type, with a half positive-half negative birefringence corresponding to a neck lace chromosome shape and possessing no or very few basic proteins; and the C-type, which has a negative birefringence because of its loosely gathered filament bundle possessing few basic proteins.
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