Abstract
Newly moulted adult male P. pictus were injected with various doses of .2%, 1% and saturated apholate solution in double distilled water. The spermatocyte chromosomes were studied for aberrations induced by apholate at various time intervals. The aberrations were found to be of two types: (a) gross or nucleotoxic and (b) individual chromosomal aberrations as described in the paper. Mostly the aberrations manifested themselves between 24-72 hours, killing some spermatocytes and incapacitating others. The mode of action of apholate in the induction of chromosome aberrations are discussed. It is assumed that apholate acts in both direct and indirect pathways which are discussed.
