Evidence for a polymorphism in gametic segregation using a malate dehydrogenase locus in the tetraploid treefrog Hyla versicolor.

Abstract

Artificial cross combinations of tetraploid Hyla versicolor were analyzed electrophoretically using a polymorphic malate dehydrogenase locus (MDH-1) to determine the mechanism of chromosome segregation. Models for differentiating between disomic and tetrasomic inheritance are presented and tested. In some crosses progeny genotypes fit a disomic mode of segregation. In other crosses there is only evidence for a tetrasomic mode of segregation. Additional crosses produced genotypic ratios which conformed to either a disomic or tetrasomic mode of segregation. The same type of inheritance was demonstrated for any individual when used in multiple cross combinations. These results suggest that there exists in H. versicolor a polymorphism with respect to segregation of gametes, resulting from differences in chromosome pairings during meiosis I.