Chromosome Evolution

Repetitive DNA and chromosomal rearrangements: speciation-related events in plant genomes
O. Raskina^a, J.C. Barber^b, E. Nevo^a, A. Belyayev<sup>a

a</sup>Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa (Israel)
^bDepartment of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO (USA)

Address of Corresponding Author

Cytogenet Genome Res 2008;120:351-357 (DOI: 10.1159/000121084)

  Abstract.

Chromosomal change is one of the more hotly debated potential mechanisms of speciation. It has long been argued over whether - and to what degree - changes in chromosome structure contribute to reproductive isolation and, ultimately, speciation. In this review we do not aim to completely analyze accumulated data about chromosomal speciation but wish to draw attention to several critical points of speciation-related chromosomal change, namely: (a) interrelations between chromosomal rearrangements and repetitive DNA fraction; (b) mobility of ribosomal DNA clusters; and (c) rDNA and transposable elements as perpetual generators of genome instability.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Request reprints from Dr. Alexander Belyayev
Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa
Mt. Carmel, Haifa 31905 (Israel)
telephone: +972 4 824 0785; fax: +972 4 824 6554
e-mail: belyayev@research.haifa.ac.il

  Article Information

Accepted in revised form for publication by M. Schmid,: 9 November 2007.
Published online: May 23, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 70