Restriction endonuclease chromosome banding in Tapinoma nigerrimum (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

Fixed metaphase chromosomes and isolated genomic DNA of the ant Tapinoma ni gerrimum were treated with the restriction endonucleases EcoRI, HaeIII and Tru9I. EcoRI and HaeIII induced a banding pattern similar to G-banding, whe reas Tru9I induced a C-band-like pattern. There is only a partial accord be tween the action of these enzymes on isolated genomic DNA and on DNA in fix ed chromosomes. Our results indicate that the presence of target sequences along the chromosomes is necessary but not sufficient to produce chromosome bands. The chromosomal organisation also seems to be important in producin g longitudinal differentiation on chromosomes.