Persisting demibivalents: a unique meiotic behaviour in Cuscuta babylonica Choisy

Idiosyncratic chromosome behaviour during meiosis was found in pollen mother cells of Cuscuta babylonica Choisy, a thread-like holoparasitic herb. Its main features are among the following: (i) telomeric association between homologues through most stages of the process, which leads to persisting chromatid bivalents (= "demibivalents"); (ii) uncommon chromosome segregation in first and second anaphase; and (iii) prolonged intensified heterochromatinization. Although "regular" in its own way, this process leads to the formation of unviable products. Its further investigation might contribute to our understanding of the role of the spindle and chromosome movement in the ordinary process of meiosis.