Abstract
Phylogeny and higher classification of the cerambycid subfamily Lepturinae remain controversial. Here we report the results of a cytogenetic study of 18 species currently classified in Lepturini and 12 species in other tribes of Lepturinae (1 in Oxymirini, 1 in Rhamnusiini and 10 in Rhagiini) from Western Europe. The male sex chromosome formula is XY in all Rhagiini, Oxymirini and in Grammoptera ruficornis in the Lepturini (whose tribal placement may be doubtful), and X0 in all the remaining Lepturini. The rarity of the X0 formula in other Cerambycidae indicates that the Y chromosome was lost in a common ancestor of the Lepturini or a subgroup thereof, indicating its monophyletic origin. The number of chromosomes is stable in the Lepturini that lack a Y chromosome (19,X/20,XX in males and females, respectively), but varies from 20 to 24 in the remaining genera, probably the consequence of evolution by chromosome fission. Whereas all the males with 19 or 20 chromosomes have an early gametogenesis, which is achieved before the imago stage, the species with more than 20 chromosomes seem to have a delayed male gametogenesis, which is still active in the young imagoes. The species of Rhagiini with 22 chromosomes may constitute a monophyletic group.
Highlights
Lepturinae constitute one of the large subfamilies of Cerambycidae, with more than 1000 species distributed mainly in the Northern hemisphere
Chromosome studies of Lepturinae are very scarce and almost restricted to the pioneer studies of Teppner (1966, 1968). These old reports show that the karyotypes of the few species studied are composed of 20 or 22 chromosomes, numbers shared by most other Cerambycidae and other Polyphaga (Smith & Virkki, 1978)
In contrast with literature data, our preliminary studies indicated that some species of Lepturinae have a 19, X and not a 20, XY male karyotype, suggesting a loss of a Y chromosome
Summary
Lepturinae constitute one of the large subfamilies of Cerambycidae, with more than 1000 species distributed mainly in the Northern hemisphere. Their systematic classification remains controversial; Bousquet et al (2009) list 8 tribes: Desmocerini Blanchard, 1845, Encyclopini LeConte, 1873, Lepturini Latreille, 1802, Oxymirini Danilevsky, 1997, Rhagiini Kirby, 1837, Rhamnusiini Sama, 2009, Teledapini Pascoe, 1871 and Xylosteini Reitter, 1913, and the Necydalinae Lacordaire, 1825 is considered a separate subfamily. Chromosome studies of Lepturinae are very scarce and almost restricted to the pioneer studies of Teppner (1966, 1968) These old reports show that the karyotypes of the few species studied are composed of 20 or 22 chromosomes, numbers shared by most other Cerambycidae and other Polyphaga (Smith & Virkki, 1978).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
