Vea, I.M., de la Filia, A.G., Jaron, K.S., Barlow, S.E.J., Herbette, M., Mongue, A.J., Ruiz-Ruano, F.J., & Ross, L. 2025 The B chromosome of Pseudococcus viburni: A selfish chromosome that exploits whole-genome meiotic drive. Genome Biology and Evolution 17(1): 1-19
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Notes: Here, we study the unusual reproductive genetics of mealybugs, where only maternal-origin chromosomes are included in gametes during male meiosis, while paternal chromosomes are eliminated. One species—Pseudococcus viburni—has a segregating B chromosome that drives by escaping paternal genome elimination. We present whole genome and gene expression data from lines with and without B chromosomes. We identify B-linked sequences including 204 protein-coding genes and a satellite repeat that makes up a significant proportion of the chromosome. Finally, we show that while many B-linked genes are expressed during meiosis, most of these are encoded on the recently translocated region. https://doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evae257
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