Physical mapping of 45S rRNA genes in Cucumis species by fluorescence in situ hybridization

The chromosomal locations of the genes coding for the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA was investigated in Cucumis species using fluorescence in situ hybridization. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L., 2n = 2x = 14) possesses four pairs of rDNA loci that were mapped to chromosomes 1C, 2C, 4C, and 7C. The distinctive hybridization sites of the 18S-5.8S-26S rRNA genes provide several useful cytogenetic markers for identification of chromosomes in C. sativus. The 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA genes have also been detected on two chromosome pairs, one major and one minor pair of loci, in melon (Cucumis melo L., 2n = 2x = 24) and on three pairs of Cucumis hystrix Chakr. chromosomes. The different number and pattern of rDNA sites is consistent with the hypothesis that considerable phylogenetic distance exists among these species.