TY - JOUR

T1 - Chromosome Translocations as a Driver of Diversification in Mole Voles Ellobius (Rodentia, Mammalia)

AU - Romanenko, Svetlana A.

AU - Lyapunova, Elena A.

AU - Saidov, Abdusattor S.

AU - O'Brien, Patricia C.M.

AU - Serdyukova, Natalia A.

AU - Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A.

AU - Graphodatsky, Alexander S.

AU - Bakloushinskaya, Irina

PY - 2019/9/2

Y1 - 2019/9/2

N2 - The involvement of chromosome changes in the initial steps of speciation is controversial. Here we examine diversification trends within the mole voles Ellobius, a group of subterranean rodents. The first description of their chromosome variability was published almost 40 years ago. Studying the G-band structure of chromosomes in numerous individuals revealed subsequent homologous, step-by-step, Robertsonian translocations, which changed diploid numbers from 54 to 30. Here we used a molecular cytogenetic strategy which demonstrates that chromosomal translocations are not always homologous; consequently, karyotypes with the same diploid number can carry different combinations of metacentrics. We further showed that at least three chromosomal forms with 2n = 34 and distinct metacentrics inhabit the Pamir-Alay mountains. Each of these forms independently hybridized with E. tancrei, 2n = 54, forming separate hybrid zones. The chromosomal variations correlate slightly with geographic barriers. Additionally, we confirmed that the emergence of partial or monobrachial homology appeared to be a strong barrier for hybridization in nature, in contradistinction to experiments which we reported earlier. We discuss the possibility of whole arm reciprocal translocations for mole voles. Our findings suggest that chromosomal translocations lead to diversification and speciation.

AB - The involvement of chromosome changes in the initial steps of speciation is controversial. Here we examine diversification trends within the mole voles Ellobius, a group of subterranean rodents. The first description of their chromosome variability was published almost 40 years ago. Studying the G-band structure of chromosomes in numerous individuals revealed subsequent homologous, step-by-step, Robertsonian translocations, which changed diploid numbers from 54 to 30. Here we used a molecular cytogenetic strategy which demonstrates that chromosomal translocations are not always homologous; consequently, karyotypes with the same diploid number can carry different combinations of metacentrics. We further showed that at least three chromosomal forms with 2n = 34 and distinct metacentrics inhabit the Pamir-Alay mountains. Each of these forms independently hybridized with E. tancrei, 2n = 54, forming separate hybrid zones. The chromosomal variations correlate slightly with geographic barriers. Additionally, we confirmed that the emergence of partial or monobrachial homology appeared to be a strong barrier for hybridization in nature, in contradistinction to experiments which we reported earlier. We discuss the possibility of whole arm reciprocal translocations for mole voles. Our findings suggest that chromosomal translocations lead to diversification and speciation.

KW - chromosome painting

KW - karyotype

KW - mole vole

KW - speciation

KW - subterranean rodents

KW - FIELD VOLE

KW - GENOME HOMOLOGY

KW - MUS-MUSCULUS-DOMESTICUS

KW - HOUSE MOUSE

KW - ARM RECIPROCAL TRANSLOCATION

KW - RED FOX

KW - EVOLUTION

KW - GENUS ELLOBIUS

KW - TANCREI

KW - ARVICOLINAE CRICETIDAE

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072144521&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.3390/ijms20184466

DO - 10.3390/ijms20184466

M3 - Article

C2 - 31510061

AN - SCOPUS:85072144521

VL - 20

JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences

JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences

SN - 1661-6596

IS - 18

M1 - 4466

ER -