The first cytogenetic report of Hoplopoderus gemmeatus (Attelabidae: Coleoptera: Insecta) from Indian fauna

The chromosomal analysis of beetle Hoplopoderus gemmeatus Thunberg. of subfamily Attelabidae and tribe Hoplop Soderini was done using standard staining, C-banding and AgNO3 banding. Tribe Hoplopoderini was first time mapped cytogenetically. The cytological information of these beetles is useful in many ways. Theoretically, it is important to understand the mechanism governing the transmission of genetic information, hence speciation and for classification on taxonomic levels. It is also useful in the field of applied economic entomology for the improvement of species. The karyotype of Hoplopoderus gemmeatus, is comprised of 30 chromosomes with meioformula, 14AA+Xyp. The analysis of constitutive heterochromatin (CH) revealed small blocks located in the centromeric regions of chromosomes, whereas silver staining revealed the silver dark spots corresponding to the nucleolar organizing region. The increased in chromosome number from 20 (Modal number) to 30 and with conserved sex chromosome mechanism in Hoplopoderus gemmeatus as compared to other species of this family is suggestive of the Robertsonian fission of autosomes having played some role in the evolution of karyotype in this family.