Orientation and segregation of Robertsonian trivalents in Dichroplus pratensis (Acrididae)

Pairing behavior, metaphase I orientation, and anaphase I segregation of centric fusion trivalents were studied in 26 single, 15 double, and 2 triple male fusion heterozygotes of the polymorphic South American melanopline grasshopper Dichroplus pratensis. They represent the seven different fusions and their combinations already described in different populations of the species. Our analysis showed the following: (1) pairing behavior is very regular in all trivalents; (2) frequencies of linear orientation was very low irrespective of the trivalent involved; (3) reorientation seems to occur frequently since frequencies of abnormal segregation and aneuploid second division cells were invariably lower than those of nonconvergent orientation; (4) aneuploidy and abnormal sperm production increases with increasing number of fusions; (5) chiasma frequency and localisation is relevant to trivalent orientation since trivalents with nonconvergent orientations showed proximal and interstitial chiasmata more frequently than convergently oriented ones. The results are in agreement with the hypothesis that these polymorphisms are old and stable, and confirm that for the maintenance of a balanced polymorphism, if this polymorphism is adaptive because of its consequences on recombination, position effects, etc., changes tending to stabilise trivalent orientation and segregation are central.