Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, G: Bio-Tech & Genetics, Volume 22 Issue 2

It is essential to mention here that sticky chromosomes and bridges could result in chromosome breakages in the course of meiosis and hence produce acentric fragments. Acentric chromosome fragments lack centromeres that are essential for the division and the retention of the chromosome in the cell. Acentric chromosomes fragments are therefore lost when the cell divides. The loss leads to unbalanced gametes and could result in infertility. Lagging chromosomes contribute to the uneven distribution of chromosomes and, therefore,to the formation of cells with the abnormal numbers of chromosomes. These abnormalities, called aneuploidy, could be amongst the major causes of infertility in animals and plants [23-25] and could be used in the biocontrol of pest grasshoppers. Many translucent cells were observed in various frequencies during this study. The outline of the cells that occurred singly was visible, but the nucleus and cytoplasmic structures were not stainable (Fig. 2f). As per the definition of [26] such cells could be described as ghost, shadows or translucent cells. They have been variously recorded in human samples and associated with cancers. They are often swollen or enlarged cells that do not have nuclei [26]. Records of ghost cells in grasshopper species were not available in cytogenetic literature. Therefore, this report is a pioneer record for ghost cells in Orthoptera. There is no knowledge about their origin, nature, significance and relation to meiosis. During this study, the frequency of ghost cells was observed to be concentration dependent. Hence it is suggested that their presence is an indication of high- level cytotoxicity of the extract. In conclusion, meiotic abnormalities lead to morphological and genetic variations, which bring about not only evolution but also intraspecific reproductive barriers. Such reproductive barriers could be exploited for pest control. d) Chiasma Frequency The importance of chiasmata in a population cannot be overemphasized. Individuals with high chiasma frequencies are considered robust, while those with low chiasma frequencies are unstable and can be easily affected by the environmental changes. Therefore, small changes in climate affect populations with low chiasma frequencies, and can lead to, drastic reduction in population size. Chiasma formation in control was normal. The individuals had mean chiasma frequencies of 11.90, which is normal and was not at variance with the observations of [27]. On the other hand, chiasma frequencies in individuals in the treatments experienced significant reductions (Fig. 3); Chiasma frequency was, therefore, inversely proportional to the concentration of extract. These observations are at variance with the report of [28], who recorded an increase in mean chiasma frequency in individuals of Z. variegatus treated with aqueous extracts of Annona muricata . The present data could not explain this difference. Figure 3: Chiasma frequency in Z. Variegatus treated witch extracts of C. melo 5µg/ml 10µg/ml 20µg/ml 30µg/ml 40µg/ml 0 5 10 15 Control Fruits Leaves Roots Chiasma frequency (%) © 2022 Global Journals 1 Year 2022 108 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXII Issue ersion I VII ( G ) Antimeiotic Properties of the Aqueous Extracts of Leaves, Fruits and Roots of the Muskmelon C ucumis Melo L. (Cucurbitaceae) in the Pest Grasshopper Zonocerus Variegatus L. (Pyrgomorphidae)