The
Chironomus Chromosome Homepage
Erwin R.
Schmidt
Institut
for Molecular Genetics
Johannes
Gutenberg-University
Mainz,
Germany
Email: eschmidt@uni-mainz.de
Chironomids
have wonderful polytene chromosomes in their salivary
glands, some say chironomids have the most beautiful
chromosomes of all organisms. Indeed lots of research has been done and has
been possible because these giant chromosomes are so easy to access and to
prepare. Already discovered by Balbiani, 1881, these
chromosomes have been fascinating for many cytologist and geneticists (Beermann, 1962). They have been exploited for answering
many questions ranging from gene transcription in huge puffs (“Balbiani rings”) to the identification of species on the
basis of the banding patterns. The chromosomal banding pattern have also been
used for the analysis of phylogenetic relationships and genome evolution.
It is the
purpose of this homepage to collect microscopic pictures of salivary gland
chromosome complements of as many as possible chironomid
species. The collection is focused predominantly on the cytology and will
complement other web based more comprehensive information on chironomids as for example the impressive data collection
of Jon Martin (University of Melbourne)
I begin with the species analyzed by Keyl and Keyl,
(1959, 1960 and 1961), and hopefully will
the collection by the contribution of other chironomid
researcher around the world so that anyone interested can easily and directly
can access the chromosome images of hopefully all chironomid
species cytologically analyzed.
The species will be alphabetically listed and clicking
on the species name will open the microscopic image of its polytene
chromosome complement.
References
Balbiani
EG (1881). "Sur la structure du noyau des
cellules salivaires chez les larves
de Chironomus". Zool.
Anz. 4: 637–641.
Beermann W
(1962) Riesenchromosomen. Protoplasmatologia ; Bd. 6D, Springer Wien 1962
Beermann W
(1952) Chromomerenkonstanz und spezifische
Modifikation der Chromosomenstruktur in der Entwicklung und
Organdifferenzierung von Chironomus tentans. In: Chromosoma. 5: 139–198
Keyl HG,
Keyl, I (1959) Die cytologische Diagnostik der
Chironomiden. I. Bestimmungstabelle für die Gattung Chironomus auf Grund der
Speicheldrüsen-Chromosomen. Arch. f. Hydrobiol. 56, 43-57
Keyl HG
(1960) Die cytologische Diagnostik der Chironomiden.
II. Diagnosen der Geschwisterarten Chironomus acidophilus
n. sp. Und Ch. Uliginosus. Arch. Hydrobiol. 57, 187-195
Keyl HG
(1961) Die cytologische Diagnostik der Chironomiden.
III. Diagnose von Chironomus parathummi n. sp. Und Ergänzungen zur Bestimmungstabelle. Arch.
Hydrobiol. 58, 1-6
Martin J NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF THE GENUS
CHIRONOMUS as recognized by larval cytology and morphology (http://www.genetics.unimelb.edu.au/Martin/NACytfiles/NAChiron.html)
Last updated: August, 14. 2015
Species