B chromosomes in plants

This review of supernumerary B chromosome systems in flowering plants deals mainly with work published in the last 15 yr, hut also includes older material which has not hitherto been presented systematically. The term B chromosome (B) is defined, and there is an introductory overview dealing with general characteristics and the significance of Bs as a widespread chromosome polymorphism. Detailed sections are then presented covering the occurrence of Bs in different taxa, their structure and molecular organization, their irregular modes of inheritance, their phenotypic effects, population dynamics and origin. Particular attention is paid to the research growth points in molecular analysis of the structure and genome organization of Bs, and to transmission genotypes in the context of their adaptive versus their selfish properties. Where appropriate, reference is also made to likely future lines of research, and also to the usefulness of B chromosomes in genetic analysis and as model systems to study general phenomena of genome organization and evolution, nuclear physiology and architecture, chromosome polymorphism and selfish DNA. CONTENTS Summary 411 I. Introduction 411 II. Occurrence 411 III. Structure and organization 415 IV. Inheritance 422 V. Phenotypic effects 426 VI. Populations 429 VII. Applications 430 VIII. Origin 430 Acknowiedgements 430 References 431.