To transfer multiple desirable alien genes into common wheat, we previously reported a new trigeneric hybrid synthesized by crossing a wheat - Thinopyrum intermedium partial amphiploid with wheat - Psathyrostachys huashanica amphiploid. Here, the meiotic behavior, chromosome constitution, and stripe rust resistance of F5 derivatives from the wheat - Th. intermedium - P. huashanica trigeneric hybrid were studied. Cytological analysis indicated the F5 progenies had chromosome numbers of 42-50 (average 44.96). The mean meiotic configuration was 1.28 univalents, 21.74 bivalents, 0.04 trivalents, and 0.02 tetravalents per pollen mother cell. In 2n = 42 lines, the average pairing configuration was 0.05 I + 19.91 II (ring) + 1.06 II (rod) + 0.003 IV, suggesting these lines were cytologically stable. Most lines with 2n = 43, 44, 46, 48, or 50, bearing a high frequency of univalents or multivalents, showed abnormal meiotic behavior. Genomic in situ hybridization karyotyping results revealed that 25 lines contained 1-7 Th. intermedium chromosomes, but no P. huashanica chromosomes were found among the 27 self-pollinated progenies. At meiosis, univalents (1-5) possessing Th. intermedium hybridization signals were detected in 19 lines. Bivalents (1-3) expressing fluorescence signals were observed in 12 lines. Importantly, 21 lines harbored wheat - Th. intermedium chromosomal translocations with various alien translocation types. Additionally, two homozygous lines, K13-668-10 and K13-682-12, possessed a pair of wheat - Th. intermedium small fragmental translocations. Compared with the recurrent parent Zhong 3, most lines showed high resistance to the stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici) pathogens prevalent in China, including race V26/Gui22. This paper reports a highly efficient technical method for inducing alien translocation between wheat and Th. intermedium by trigeneric hybridization. These lines might be potentially valuable germplasm resources for further wheat improvement.
Trigeneric hybrids are commonly used as bridges to transfer genes from some wild species to cultivated wheat and to measure the genomic interaction between donor species. We previously reported that trigeneric germplasms were produced by crossing wheat-<i>Psathyrostachys huashanica</i> amphiploids (PHW-SA, 2n = 8x = 56, AABBDDNsNs) with hexaploid triticale (Zhongsi 828, 2n = 6x = 42, AABBRR). In the present study, chromosome pairing behavior and the genome constitution of the F<sub>4</sub> progenies of wheat-rye-<i>P. huashanica </i>trigeneric hybrids were studied. Cytological analysis showed that the chromosome number of F<sub>4</sub> progenies ranged from 39 to 46, and 57.5% of them had 42 chromosomes. The mean meiotic configuration of F<sub>4</sub> lines was 1.71 univalents, 20.26 bivalents, 0.04 trivalents, and 0.001 quadrivalents per pollen mother cell. Among the lines with 2n = 42, the average pairing configuration was 1.21 univalents, 16.22 ring bivalents, 4.16 rod bivalents, and 0.01 trivalents. This result indicated that these lines were cytologically stable. Other lines with 2n = 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, and 46, bearing a high number of univalents or multivalents, showed abnormal meiotic behavior. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) revealed that all F<sub>4</sub> lines had 11-14 rye chromosomes, but no <i>P. huashanica</i> chromosomes. The complete set of 14 rye chromosomes was found in 19 lines. At meiosis, GISH detected 1-6 univalents with hybridization signals of rye in 13 lines. Bivalents with fluorescence signals were identified in each line, ranging from 3 to 7. A quadrivalent with hybridization signals was observed in only 1 line, K13-714-8. Lagging chromosomes, chromosome bridges, micronuclei, and chromosome fragments hybridizing with the probe were not discovered in any of the lines. These results inferred that the behavior of rye chromosomes was normal during meiosis. In addition, 21 lines of 2n = 42 (91.3%) with 12 or 14 rye chromosomes, always contained 6 or 7 bivalents bearing fluorescence signals. This suggested that the rye chromosomes exhibiting complete pairing in these lines were cytologically stable during meiosis and may therefore be considered as new hexaploid triticales. Thus, these lines might be potential materials for further hexaploid triticale improvement.
Forcipomyia taiwana (Shiraki), a biting midge, is one of the most annoying blood-sucking pests in Taiwan. In this study, partial DNA sequences of cytochrome c oxidase II from 113 individuals collected from 11 locations around the island were analyzed to delineate the differentiation pattern and possible dispersal processes of F. taiwana in Taiwan. The uncorrected nucleotide divergences, composed of mostly transition substitutions, were high (up to 2.7%) among the samples. Average comparable variations (approximately equal to 0.7%) were found within and between populations. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that several distinct lineages exist and some can be found simultaneously in some populations. A relationship between sequence divergences among populations and their relative geographical distances was observed. Moreover, haplotype diversity was high in all populations, and low to middle levels (Fst = 0.004-0.288) of genetic differentiation were found among populations. Linearized calibration from sequence divergences and phylogenetic analysis showed that different ancestral lineages of F. taiwana possibly emerged as early as 0.6 million years ago. Taken together, genetic exchanges among these divergently ancestral lineages, likely caused by recent artificial events, have possibly led to the similarly diversified compositions of F. taiwana populations all around Taiwan nowadays.