The Sex Chromosomes of Silene latifolia Revisited and Revised

Classical studies have established that, during meiosis, the X and Y chromosomes of the model dioecious plant Silene latifolia pair over a region at the ends of their q arms. We used fluorescence in situ hybridization of two molecular markers to demonstrate that this widely accepted model is incorrect. From these data we conclude that the homologous arm of the X chromosome is the p arm and that of the Y chromosome is the q arm. The establishment of the proper orientation of the pseudoautosomal region is essential for mapping and evolutionary studies.