The B Chromosome of Pseudococcus viburni: A Selfish Chromosome that Exploits Whole-Genome Meiotic Drive.

ABSTRACT: Meiosis is generally a fair process: each chromosome has a 50% chance of being included into each gamete. However, meiosis can become aberrant with some chromosomes having a higher chance of making it into gametes than others. Yet, why and how such systems evolve remains unclear. Here, we study the unusual reproductive genetics of mealybugs, where only maternal-origin chromosomes are included in gametes during male meiosis, while paternal chromosomes are eliminated. One species-Pseudococcus viburni-has a segregating B chromosome that drives by escaping paternal genome elimination. We present whole genome and gene expression data from lines with and without B chromosomes. We identify B-linked sequences including 204 protein-coding genes and a satellite repeat that makes up a significant pro

SUBMITTER: Vea IM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11776215 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature