Nuclear DNA variation among acridid grasshoppers

Abstract

Abstract The nuclear DNA amount varies threefold among species of acridid grass­ hoppers. DNA amount is correlated with the total chromosome volume, as measured at metaphase of mitosis. Despite the large-scale variation in DNA amount and in the total volume of chromosome material there is a striking uniformity in respect of the relative sizes of chromosomes within complements. Males from the northern race of Cryptobothrus chrysophorus contain about 20% more nuclear DNA than males from the southern race. The DNA difference may be explained by supernumerary segments within chromosomes in the northern populations. The magnitude of the DNA variation between these races is indicative of substantial genetic divergence. It may well be that the two races merit separate specific ranking.