Chromosome Behaviour in Laccifer lacca (Kerr) Lacciferidae-Coccoidea

Abstract

The diploid chromosome number of L. lacca is eighteen in both sexes.
Males of L. lacca maintain, from an early embryonic stage, one hap. loid set of chromosomes in a condensed form and this heterochromatic set later on at second division develops a monopolar spindle and reaches the other pole of the spindle.
Cytoplasmic division is suppressed and this results in the formation of binucleate spermatids which later fuse to form the quadrinucleate spermatids.
The spermatid nuclei formed by the chromosomes of the heterochromatic set degenerate while those formed by the euchromatic set give rise to typical coccid sperms.