Unusual chromosomal polymorphism of the common shrew, Sorex araneus L., in southern Belarus.

Analysis of the frequency of karyotypes and chromosomal rearrangements in the distributional ranges of four metacentric races of Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758 has revealed features that are not typical for polymorphic populations of this species. The frequency of the acrocentric karyotype and heterozygotes for fusion of acrocentric chromosomes turned out to be significantly higher than expected in case of random crossing. As an explanation for the unusual polymorphism, it has been suggested that metacentric races may hybridize with acrocentric populations that remained from the ancient chromosomal form.

Sequence Composition and Evolution of Mammalian B Chromosomes.

B chromosomes (Bs) revealed more than a hundred years ago remain to be some of the most mysterious elements of the eukaryotic genome. Their origin and evolution, DNA composition, transcriptional activity, impact on adaptiveness, behavior in meiosis, and transfer to the next generation require intensive investigations using modern methods. Over the past years, new experimental techniques have been applied and helped us gain a deeper insight into the nature of Bs. Here, we consider mammalian Bs, taking into account data on their DNA sequencing, transcriptional activity, positions in nuclei of somatic and meiotic cells, and impact on genome functioning. Comparative cytogenetics of Bs suggests the existence of different mechanisms of their formation and evolution. Due to the long and complicated evolvement of Bs, the similarity of their morphology could be explained by the similar mechanisms involved in their development while the difference between Bs even of the same origin could appear due to their positioning at different stages of their evolution. A complex analysis of their DNA composition and other features is required to clarify the origin and evolutionary history of Bs in the species studied. The intraspecific diversity of Bs makes this analysis a very important element of B chromosome studies.

Karyotypic differentiation of populations of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. (Mammalia) in Belarus.

The common shrews, Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758, inhabiting the territory of Belarus, are characterized by a significant variation in the frequency of Robertsonian (Rb) translocations. The frequency clines for translocations specific of three chromosome races: the West Dvina (gm, hk, ip, no, qr), Kiev (g/m, hi, k/o, n, p, q, r), and Bialowieza (g/r, hn, ik, m/p, o, q) have already been studied in this territory. In this communication we report new data on polymorphic populations with Rb metacentrics specific of the Neroosa race (go, hi, kr, mn, p/q) in south-eastern Belarus, analyse the distribution of karyotypes in southern and central Belarus and draw particular attention to the fixation of the acrocentric variants of chromosomes in this area. The results show that certain Rb metacentrics specific of the Neroosa, West Dvina, Kiev, and Bialowieza races (namely, go and pq; ip; ko; hn and ik, respectively) are absent in many polymorphic populations. Thus, the karyotypic differentiation of S. araneus in the studied area is determined by unequal spread of different Rb translocations and by fixation of acrocentric variants of specific chromosomes.