Polytene chromosomes of three species of blackflies in the Simulium pictipes group (Diptera: Simuliidae)

Abstract

The salivary gland chromosomes of members of the Simulium pictipes group were examined by conventional staining and quinacrine fluorescence staining methods which proved to be a useful tool to show otherwise hidden details, especially in expanded centromere regions. Three cytologically definable species were found, one of which must represent a previously unrecognized species. Simulium longistylatum Shewell was the only species among the three siblings identified with certainty. The remaining pair were designated as S. pictipes A and S. pictipes B. In all three siblings the haploid chromosome number was three. Specific differences include a simple and a complex inversion, a shift of basal bands between the short arms of the second and third chromosome, details of the sex chromosomes, and the amount of DNA in certain individual bands and expanded centromere regions. Y chromosome markers are located in a different element of the complement in each of the three species, a unique situation within closely related blackfly sibling species. These findings are discussed in connection with the evolution of sex chromosomes and sibling species. A cytophylogeny is presented.