Chromosome evolution in the genus Poecilimon (Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea, Phaneropteridae).

Cytotaxonomic analysis of 20 species and subspecies of the genus Poecilimon using C-banding pattern, chiasma frequency, and morphometric characteristics of the chromosomes were described. Using a cladistic analysis the chromosome data provided a basis to produce a phylogenetic tree which was compared with a tree based on morphological characters and DNA sequence data. There are important differences in the grouping of data sets to species obtained on the basis of morphology/DNA analyses and that based on chromosomes. The explanation of the differences between C-banding patterns and taxonomic proximity is probably that the C-banding pattern changes quickly as the result of the high degree of variation of constitutive heterochromatin.