Temperature Sensitive Cytomixis in Helicanthes elastica (Desr.) Dans. (Loranthaceae)

Abstract

Spontaneous occurrence of cytomixis in PMCs of H. elastica was noticed in high atmospheric temperature. The chromatin undergoes a temporary process of agglutination before migration. Cytomixis is found to have a direct correlation with other meiotic irregularities and sterility. The origin and evolutionary significance of the process is discussed.