Abstract
The chromosomes of the diploid Hyla chrysoscelis and its tetraploid sibling species H. versicolor were studied with AgNO3 staining and in situ hybridization to determine the chromosome location of the 18S and 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. A total of 236 Hyla chrysoscelis from 34 localities in 15 U.S. states and 100 H. versicolor from 15 localities in 12 states were examined. The rRNA gene sites were extremely variable in H. chrysoscelis, and also variable, but to a lesser extent, in H. versicolor. The most common rRNA gene site in both H. chrysoscelis and H. versicolor was on the short arm of chromosome 6. All of the rRNA gene locations seen in H. versicolor were also seen in H. chrysoscelis, supporting the hypothesis that the tetraploid H. versicolor arose from H. chrysoscelis. Although polymorphic rRNA gene sites in H. versicolor may reflect the positions of the rRNA genes in H. chrysoscelis ancestors, the origin of the extreme variability of such sites in H. chrysoscelis seems more obscure. Possible explanations include inversions, translocations, mobile genetic elements or a combination of some or all of these.
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Wiley, J.E., Little, M.L., Romano, M.A. et al. Polymorphism in the location of the 18S and 28S rRNA genes on the chromosomes of the diploid-tetraploid treefrogs Hyla chrysoscelis and H. versicolor . Chromosoma 97, 481–487 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295033
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295033