Cytogenetic Polymorphism of the Common Oak’s Seed Progeny under the Conditions of Anthropogenic Pollution’s in Moscow

Abstract

A cytogenetic study of the seed progeny of the common oak (Quercus robur L.) trees growing in various dis-tricts of Moscow with different levels of anthropogenic pollution was carried out. Indicators and variability limits of proliferative activity (mitotic activity, proportion of cells at certain stages of mitosis, level of mitosis failures) and nucleolar features (surface area of a single nucleolus, occurrence frequency of cells with different types of nucleoli, occurrence frequency of cells with residual nucleolus at the stage of meta-, ana, telophase of mitosis) of the seed progeny of the common oak. Polymorphism of cytogenetic parameters was revealed among the seed progeny of common oak trees growing in the studied areas within Moscow: groups of seed-lings with different levels of genetic material stability were found (mutable – seedlings with a high level of mi-totic disturbances, resistant – with a low level, intermediate groups). The number of identified groups depends on the area’s anthropogenic pollution degree. On the contaminated area, 3 groups were identified (mu-table, resistant, intermediate), and on the one with a “clean” environment – 5 groups (mutable, resistant and 3 intermediate). The cytogenetic characteristics of the seedlings included in the selected groups were de-scribed, as well as the limits of the cytogenetic parameters variation depending on the level of pollution of the territory. A total and intragroup comparison was carried out regarding cytogenetic parameters of common oak seedlings collected in territories with different levels of anthropogenic pollution with the previously established characteristics of common oak seedlings in the Voronezh region. Differences were revealed in the proliferative activity indicators and nucleolar characteristics of the common oak’s seed progeny growing in different regions of the centre of the European part of the Russian Federation.