New cytogenetic data on Armenian buprestids (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) with a discussion of karyotype variation within the family

Abstract

As a part of ongoing cytogenetic studies on the jewel-beetles (Buprestidae, Coleoptera) of Armenia, the male karyotypes and meiosis of nine species (5 genera, 4 tribes, 2 subfamilies) are described, figured and discussed. In Ovalisia nadezhdae Sem., Sphenoptera artemisiae Reitt., Coraebus rubi L., C. sinuatus Creutz., Meliboeus caucasicus Reitt., Agrilus angustulus Ill. Men., A. obscuricollis Kiesw., and A. araxenus Khnz. diploid chromosome numbers vary in a narrow range from 20 to 24. In Sph. glabrata Men. a high chromosome number of 2n=40 was discovered. All the species have a XY sex chromosome system, which is however of different types. The data available on the buprestid karyotypes and karyotype variation at different taxonomic levels within the family are discussed.