Repetitive DNA and chromosomal rearrangements: speciation-related events in plant genomes

Chromosomal change is one of the more hotly debated potential mechanisms of speciation. It has long been argued over whether – and to what degree – changes in chromosome structure contribute to reproductive isolation and, ultimately, speciation. In this review we do not aim to completely analyze accumulated data about chromosomal speciation but wish to draw attention to several critical points of speciation-related chromosomal change, namely: (a) interrelations between chromosomal rearrangements and repetitive DNA fraction; (b) mobility of ribosomal DNA clusters; and (c) rDNA and transposable elements as perpetual generators of genome instability.