Karyology and cytotaxonomy of the genus Chrysolina motschulsky (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

Eight species of Chrysolina have been chromosomally studied in male individuals from Central Europe, South France and the Urals, in Russia. Ch. rufa had 2n = 23, Ch. purpurascens crassimargo 2n = 24 and a meioformula formula of 11 + Xyp, Ch. globosa and Ch. bigorrensis 12 + Xyp, Ch. umbratilis 2n = 30 and 14 + XYp, a new non-chiasmate sex-chromosome system with both male sex-chromosomes of large size, Ch. cf. subcostata 12 + XYp with large sex-chromosomes also, Ch. interstincta 2n = 40 and 19 + Xyp, and Ch. obscurella 2n = 47. The taxonomic implications of these findings are discussed in relation with the current subgeneric classification of Chrysolina and principally that of the subgenera Colaphoptera, Sphaerochrysolina, Pleurosticha, Chalcoidea and Threnosoma.