REGULAR OCCURRENCE OF HETEROPLOIDY IN A GROUP OF PENTATOMIDAE (HEMIPTERA)

Abstract

In 4 spp. of pentatomid Hemiptera[long dash]3 of Loxa and 1 of Mayrinia[long dash]one lobe of the testis always produces sperms which may carry chromosomes varying from 1 or 2 to approx. 200 in number. That is the 5th lobe in all of the species. The regular occurrence of such heteroploidy is of significance not only because of the mitotic mechanism that is involved but also because of its evolutionary aspects.