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Allopolyploidization has been a driving force in plant evolution. Formation of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) represents a classic example of successful speciation via allopolyploidy. Nevertheless, the immediate chromosomal consequences of allopolyploidization in wheat remain largely unexplored. We report here an in-depth investigation on transgenerational chromosomal variation in resynthesized allohexaploid wheats that are identical in genome constitution to common wheat. We deployed sequential FISH, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), and homeolog-specific pyrosequencing, which enabled unequivocal identification of each of the 21 homologous chromosome pairs in each of >1,000 individual plants from 16 independent lines. We report that wholechromosome aneuploidy occurred ubiquitously in early generations (from selfed generation S 1 to >S 20 ) of wheat allohexaploidy although at highly variable frequencies (20-100%). In contrast, other types of gross structural variations were scant. Aneuploidy included an unexpected hidden type, which had a euploid chromosome number of 2n = 42 but with simultaneous loss and gain of nonhomeologous chromosomes. Of the three constituent subgenomes, B showed the most lability for aneuploidy, followed by A, but the recently added D subgenome was largely stable in most of the studied lines. Chromosome loss and gain were also unequal across the 21 homologous chromosome pairs. Pedigree analysis showed no evidence for progressive karyotype stabilization even with multigenerational selection for euploidy. Profiling of two traits directly related to reproductive fitness showed that although pollen viability was generally reduced by aneuploidy, the adverse effect of aneuploidy on seed-set is dependent on both aneuploidy type and synthetic line.chromosome dynamics | hidden aneuploidy | synthetic wheat | wheat evolution H exaploid common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major food crop with international significance, the evolution of which is characterized by two sequential allopolyploidization events: one leading to formation of allotetraploid wheat (T. turgidum L.) and the other to allohexaploid wheat (T. aestivum) (1, 2). Despite decades of research, the mechanisms by which the initial allopolyploid individuals became stabilized, established, and accumulate to successful speciation remains largely unknown in this important crop. In theory, chromosome-level perturbation should be among the first manifestations of nascent allopolyploidization. Indeed, two recent molecular cytogenetic studies, in resynthesized allotetraploid Brassica napus lines (3) and young natural allotetraploid Tragopogon miscellus populations (4), respectively, have provided unique insights into the chromosomal dynamics associated with nascent allotetraploidy. Being at the resolution of individual chromosomes, these studies have documented a surprisingly high incidence of both structural and numerical changes in nascent allotetraploid plants (3, 4). It was found that early generations of resynthesized allotetrap...

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The Mesozoic geology of SE China is characterized by intensive and widespread magmatism. However, the tectonic regime that accounted for the Mesozoic magmatism has been an issue with little consensus. A comprehensive study of 40Ar-39Ar dating, geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopes has been conducted on basalts from southern Hunan and syenite intrusions from eastern Guangxi. Three episodes of Jurassic magmatism, i.e. alkaline basalts of c.175 Ma in age, syenitic intrusions of c.160 Ma and high-Mg basalts of c.150 Ma, are identified. The older, c.175 Ma alkaline basalts are characterized by low Sr (ISr = 0.7035–0.7040) and high Nd (εNd(T) = 5 to 6) isotopic compositions and OIB-like trace-element patterns (e.g. Nb/La > 1). In contrast, the younger, c.150 Ma high-Mg basalts have high Sr (ISrc.0.7054) and low Nd (εNd(T) c.-2) isotopic compositions and incompatible trace-element patterns of arc affinity. The c.160 Ma syenitic intrusions display a relatively large range of Sr and Nd isotopic compositions (ISr = 0.7032–0.7082, εNd(T) = 5.5 to −4.1), with the Qinghu syenites having the lowest ISr, highest εNd(T) and OIB-type incompatible trace-element patterns analogous to the c.175 Ma alkaline basalts. Such a secular variation in rock types and geochemical and isotopic characteristics reveals changes in melt segregation depth and mantle sources, which are inferred to have resulted from the post-Indosinian orogenic lithosphere extension and thinning. The c.175 Ma alkaline basalts are suggested to have formed by small degrees of decompression melting of the asthenosphere or an enriched lithospheric mantle source accreted by asthenosphere-derived melts during the initial extension. The c.160 Ma syenitic and c.150 Ma high-Mg basaltic rocks mainly originated from the enriched lithospheric mantle that melted owing to a raised geotherm caused by lithosphere thinning. This interpretation is at odds with the active continental margin related to the subduction of palaeo-Pacific plate, but consistent with continental rifting and extension for the Mesozoic of SE China.