Cytological perspectives of grasshopper: A comparative studies of two methods

Abstract

The cytological studies of grasshoppers of Manipur was taken up for the first time and the creek grasshopper, Gesonula punctifrons ((Stal) has 23 chromosomes in male germinal cells. The conventional squashed method was compared with the new modified technique of flame drying method. The meiotic cell division in grasshopper was distinct as reported and each cell stage could be easily identified in both the methods. The cells prepared with the squashed method were comparatively not uniformed and each chromosomes could not be spotted at a glance besides lesser stained while such difficulties could be overcome with the flame drying method. The minor demerits of flame drying method were: the limited numbers of cells and generally overstrained cells. The method is open to inspect whether this could be applied to other types of insects with somewhat smaller chromosome with addition of hypotonic solution to increase swimming areas of the chromosomes in future. During hypotonisation, the cells receive additional water due to osmosis, making them larger, the contents of the cell are loosened and chromosomes become more individualized.