Inverted meiosis and holocentric chromosome behaviour in Cuscuta janarthanamii (Convolvulaceae), an endemic dodder species of the Western Ghats, India

Cuscuta janarthanamii Kolte, A. Deshp. & Kambale, a recently described species, has been investigated for its chromosomal behaviour. This study reveals the presence of holocentric chromosomes and inverted meiosis in the species. This behaviour was confirmed with four distinct observations, namely the presence of an additional supernumerary chromosome during meiotic metaphase, parallel alignment of chromosomes to the equatorial plate, their movement in the same orientation towards poles and formation of bivalents of non-sister chromatids during meiotic anaphase-1. Collectively, these observations confirm that C. janarthanamii undergoes inverted meiosis, a phenomenon that may be linked to the adaptation of the species under environmental stress conditions. This article aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land) of the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development.