Abstract
We present an open (publicly available) and updatable database of the karyotypes of Blattodea which is available at http://web.natur.cuni.cz/zoologie/arthropods/blattodeadatabase/index.html. This database currently contains data on chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems for 355 (209 cockroaches and 146 termites) cytogenetically and/or geographically distinct populations of 229 species (138 cockroaches and 91 termites). When available, data on chromosome morphology and fundamental number are also included. As this summary of the data on Blattodea cytogenetics follows current taxonomy and phylogeny it enabled us to discuss hypotheses on karyotype evolution. We also point out some cytogenetically interesting phenomena such as extensive karyotype differentiation at low taxonomic levels in some lineages and the change from the X0 sex chromosome system, which is present in cockroaches, to systems with multiple neo-sex chromosomes, present in termites. We encourage the use of modern cytogenetic methods in research on Blattodea cytogenetics to uncover more detailed mechanisms of karyotype evolution in this insect order. We also provide a brief summary of the history of cytogenetic research in Blattodea.
Highlights
Blattodea is the second largest polyneopteran (Neoptera, Insecta) order comprising approximately 7600 species, of which 4600 are cockroaches and 3000 are termites (Krishna et al, 2013; Beccaloni, 2014)
Our online Blattodea Karyotype Database is available at http://web.natur.cuni.cz/zoologie/arthropods/blattodeadatabase/index.html
The greatest range of chromosome numbers in cockroaches is recorded in the family Blaberidae (2n♂ = 23–79, Fig. 1), with subfamilies Blaberinae (2n♂ = 31–73), Oxyhaloinae (2n♀ = 24–76) and Zetoborinae (2n♀ = 30–66) the most variable
Summary
Blattodea is the second largest polyneopteran (Neoptera, Insecta) order comprising approximately 7600 species, of which 4600 are cockroaches and 3000 are termites (Krishna et al, 2013; Beccaloni, 2014). This database currently contains data on chromosome numbers and sex chromosome systems for 355 (209 cockroaches and 146 termites) cytogenetically and/or geographically distinct populations of 229 species (138 cockroaches and 91 termites).
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