A new chromosomal race (2n=44) of Nannospalax xanthodon from Turkey (Mammalia: Rodentia)

A new karyotype for blind mole rats was recorded in Tunceli province in Eastern Turkey. The karyotype contained 44 chromosomes, including 13 biarmed pairs, 7 acrocentric pairs, and one heteromorphic pair with a submetacentric and an acrocentric homologue in the autosomal complement (FNa=69). The X chromosome was submetacentric and the Y chromosome medium-sized subtelocentric (FN=73). Distinct dark centromeric C-bands were observed on most of the biarmed and three pairs of the acrocentric autosomes. The NORs were detected on short arms of three subtelocentric pairs and one acrocentric pair of autosomes. The diploid number of chromosomes and the karyotype characteristics observed are obviously unique among hitherto studied populations of blind mole rats and the complement can be evaluated as a new chromosome race of Nannospalax xanthodon. The distribution ranges of individual chromosome races of the species recorded in Eastern Anatolia are revised and possible interracial hybridization is discussed in respect of the finding of a new race.     

Heterochromatin and nucleolus-organizer-region behaviour at male pachytene of Sus scrofa domestica

In the domestic pig (2n=38) two types of constitutive heterochromatin can be differentiated by fluorescence counterstaining techniques. All 24 biarmed autosomes and the X chromosome have chromomycin A₃-positive centromeric C-bands, whereas all 12 acrocentric chromosomes exhibit DA-DAPI-positive centromeric heterochromatin. Fluorescence analysis of male pachytene nuclei revealed that the DA-DAPI-positive C-bands form one or two large chromocentres per cell, while the chromomycin A₃-bright C-material is well scattered. Hence, the bivalents formed by the acrocentric chromosome pairs are centromerically associated, whilst the submetacentric bivalents are not. —Counce-Meyer spreading techniques were used to study the structure of synaptonemal complexes (SCs) both by light and electron microscopy. In general, the SCs of the domestic pig resemble those described for other mammals. The SC formed by the X and the Y may include up to 94.5% of the Y chromosome. In silver-stained microspreads each of the bivalents (nos. 8 and 10) bearing the nucleolus-organizer-regions (NORs) is connected to a pair of nucleoli, indicating that all four NORs are active during early meiotic stages. By contrast, in the majority of mitotic metaphases of phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes only one pair (no. 10) exhibited Ag-NOR staining. — The significance of the chromosome disposition in the pachytene nucleus is discussed with regard to heterochromatin composition and karyotype evolution.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Hans Bauer on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

Cytogenetic study of Callicebus hoffmannsii (Cebidae, Primates) and comparison with C. m. moloch.

Callicebus is a neotropical primate genus divided into four or five groups of species. Species of the moloch group are distributed in the tropical forests of the Amazon basin. The karyotype of Callicebus hoffmannsii (moloch group) was studied by means of G- and C-banding, Ag-NOR staining and in situ hybridization of telomeric probes. C. hoffmannsii had 2n = 50 chromosomes, with ten biarmed and fourteen acrocentric autosomal pairs. The X chromosome was submetacentric and the Y chromosome was a minor acrocentric. Constitutive heterochromatin was detected in the centromeric regions of all chromosomes; in pairs 7 and 10, it was found in the distal regions of the short arms, and distally in the long arm of the X chromosome. Size heteromorphism in C-bands was detected in pairs 7 and 10. Ag-NOR staining revealed a maximum of three nucleolar organizers. Telomeric probes hybridized only at the terminal regions of all chromosomes. Additionally, a comparison was carried out between C. hoffmannsii and C. m. moloch (2n = 48), as previously reported. Both species shared gross chromosomal similarities diverging by a single rearrangement of centric fusion/fission. A high similarity between C. hoffmannsii and C. donacophilus indicated a close association between the moloch and donacophilus groups.     

Description of the karyotype of Rhagomys rufescens Thomas, 1886 (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) from Southern Brazil Atlantic forest

Rhagomys rufescens (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) is an endemic species of the Atlantic forest from Southern and Southeastern Brazil. Some authors consider Rhagomys as part of the tribe Thomasomyini; but its phylogenetic relationships remain unclear. Chromosomal studies on eight specimens of Rhagomys rufescens revealed a diploid number of 2n = 36 and a number of autosome arms FN = 50. GTG, CBG and Ag-NOR banding and CMA(3) /DAPI staining were performed on metaphase chromosomes. Eight biarmed and nine acrocentric pairs were found in the karyotype of this species. The X and Y chromosomes were both acrocentric. Most of the autosomes and the sex chromosomes showed positive C-bands in the pericentromeric region. The X chromosome showed an additional heterochromatic block in the proximal region of the long arm. Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) were located in the pericentromeric region of three biarmed autosomes (pairs 4, 6 and 8) and in the telomeric region of the short arm of three acrocentrics (pairs 10, 12 and 17). CMA (3) /DAPI staining produced fluorescent signals in many autosomes, especially in pairs 4, 6, and 8. This study presents cytogenetic data of Rhagomys rufescens for the first time.     

石貂的染色体研究

本文对分布在我国的石貂北方亚种染色体进行了较详细的研究。结果表明２ｎ＝３８,核型为１４（Ｍ）＋４（ＳＭ）＋１８（ＳＴ）,ＸＹ（Ｍ,Ａ）。Ｃ－带显示该亚种的一些染色体着丝粒区域结构异染色质弱化或消失。Ｎｏ,９染色体的短臂完全异染色质化;Ｘ染色体长臂丰出现插入杂色质带;Ｙ为完全结构异染色质组成。     

Variation of C-bands in the chromosomes of several subspecies of Rattus rattus

All subspecies of black rats (Rattus rattus) used in the present study are characterized by having large and clear C-bands at the centromeric region. The appearance of the bands, however, is different in the subspecies. Chromosome pair No. 1 in Asian type black rats (2n=42), which are characterized by an acrocentric and subtelocentric polymorphism, showed C-band polymorphism. In Phillipine rats (R. rattus mindanensis) the pair was subtelocentric with C-bands, but in Malayan black rats (R. rattus diardii) it was usually acrocentric with C-bands. In Hong-Kong (R. rattus flavipectus) and Japanese black rats (R. rattus tanezumi) it was polymorphic with respect to the presence of acrocentrics with C-bands or subtelocentrics without C-bands. The other chromosomes pairs showed clear C-bands, but in Hong-Kong black rats the pairs No. 2 and 5 were polymorphic with and without C-bands. In Japanese black rats, 6 chromosome pairs (No. 3, 4, 7, 9, 11 and 13) were polymorphic in regard to presence and absence of C-bands, but the other 5 chromosome pairs (No. 2, 5, 6, 8 and 10) showed always absence of C-bands. Only pair No. 12 usually showed C-bands. C-bands in small metacentric pairs (No. 14 to 20) in Asian type black rats generally large in size, but those in the Oceanian (2n=38) and Ceylon type black rats (2n=40) were small. In the hybrids between Asian and Oceanian type rats, heteromorphic C-bands, one large and the other small, were observed. Based on the consideration of karyotype evolution in the black rats, the C-band is suggested to have a tendency toward the diminution as far as the related species are concerned.     

Chromosomal description of the rodent generaOecomys andNectomys from Brazil

We analysed karyotypes of five taxa of the rodent generaOecomys andNectomys, trapped in 14 localities in an area ranging from 8° to 29°S on Brazilian territory.Oecomys cf.concolor, collected in the Amazon and in two localities of the Cerrado biome, showed a 2n=60 karyotype constituted by a pair of large subtelocentric chromosomes, a small metacentric pair and 27 acrocentric pairs. The X chromosome was a large submetacentric and a subtelo-submetacentric, the morphology of the latter showing variable C-banding patterns. In all three localities the Y chromosome was a medium size heterochromatic acrocentric. Two individuals from the Cerrado had a heterochromatic acrocentric B-chromosome.Oecomys cf.bicolor presented two cytotypes, 2n=80 in the specimens from the Cerrado biome and 2n=82 in individuals trapped in the Amazon. The 2n=80 cytotype 1 showed a large subtelocentric, 22 biarmed pairs (medium to small) and 16 acrocentric autosomal pairs. The karyotype of the 2n=82 cytotype 2 is constituted by 15 biarmed chromosomes (median to small) and 25 acrocentric pairs with heterochromatic blocks at pericentromeric regions. The sexual pairs were the same (large submetacentric X and median acrocentric Y) in both cytotypes. InO. cf.concolor and in both cytotypes ofO. cf.bicolor the nucleolar organizer regions were observed in 1-3 pairs, located in the short arms.Nectomys genus presented two cytotypes, 2n=52–55 (N. rattus, with 0–3 biarmed heterochromatic accessory chromosomes) and 2n=56–59 (N. squamipes, bearing 0–3 biarmed, heterochromatic, B-chromosomes). These 2 cytotypes occupy disjunct regions of South America, with overlapping areas in the Brazilian states of Pernambuco, Bahia, and Mato Grosso do Sul.     

Cytogenetic analysis of some Brazilian marsupials (Didelphidae: Marsupialia)

Three species of marsupials from the Amazon region (Marmosa cinerea, Caluromys lanatus, and Didelphis marsupialis) and two from the region of S?o Paulo (Didelphis marsupialis and Didelphis albiventris) were studied. The G-banding pattern of the species with 2n = 14 (M. cinerea and C. lanatus) was very similar, as well as the pattern of G-bands in the species with 22 chromosomes (Didelphis). All of the autosomes of M. cinerea and D. albiventris have centromeric C-bands and the Y chromosome is totally C-band positive. The long arm of the M. cinerea X chromosome is completely C-band positive except for a negative band close to the centromeric region. In D. albiventris the long arm of the X chromosome is C-band positive except for a negative band close to the telomeric region. In M. cinerea the silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) are found in the acrocentric chromosomes, being located in the telomeric region of one pair and in the centromeric region of the other pair. Caluromys lanatus has centromeric Ag-NORs in one acrocentric and in one submetacentric chromosome pairs. Didelphis marsupialis has three chromosome pairs with telomeric Ag-NORs. In D. albiventris the Ag-NORs are terminal and located in both arms of one pair and in the long arm of two pairs of chromosomes.     

Cytogenetic characterization and description of an XX/XY1Y2 sex chromosome system in catfish Harttia carvalhoi (Siluriformes, Loricariidae)

Karyotypic and cytogenetic characteristics of catfish Harttia carvalhoi (Paraíba do Sul River basin, S?o Paulo State, Brazil) were investigated using differential staining techniques (C-banding, Ag-staining) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 18S and 5S rDNA probes. The diploid chromosome number of females was 2n = 52 and their karyotype was composed of nine pairs of metacentric, nine pairs of submetacentric, four pairs of subtelocentric and four pairs of acrocentric chromosomes. The diploid chromosome number of males was invariably 2n = 53 and their karyotype consisted of one large unpaired metacentric, eight pairs of metacentric, nine pairs of submetacentric, four pairs of subtelocentric, four pairs of acrocentric plus two middle-sized acrocentric chromosomes. The differences between female and male karyotypes indicated the presence of a sex chromosome system of XX/XY1Y2 type, where the X is the largest metacentric and Y1 and Y2 are the two additional middle-sized acrocentric chromosomes of the male karyotype. The major rDNA sites as revealed by FISH with an 18S rDNA probe were located in the pericentromeric region of the largest pair of acrocentric chromosomes. FISH with a 5S rDNA probe revealed two sites: an interstitial site located in the largest pair of acrocentric chromosomes, and a pericentromeric site in a smaller metacentric pair of chromosomes. Translocations or centric fusions in the ancestral 2n = 54 karyotype is hypothesized for the origin of such multiple sex chromosome systems where females are fixed translocation homozygotes whereas males are fixed translocation heterozygotes. The available cytogenetic data for representatives of the genus Harttia examined so far indicate large kayotype diversity.     

三种姬鼠的染色体比较研究

本文采用染色体分带技术（Ｇ－,Ｃ－带和银染色）,对中华姬鼠（Ａｐｏｄｅｍｕｓｄｒａｃｏ）、大林姬鼠（Ａ．ｐｅｎｉｎｓｕｌａｅ）和大耳姬鼠（Ａ．ｌａｔｒｏｎｕｍ）的核型进行了观察分析。结果表明：３种姬鼠的２ｎ均为４８。中华姬鼠的染色体均为端着丝点染色体。大林姬鼠的常规核型中,除１对中着丝点染色体（Ｎｏ．２３）外,其余均为端着丝点染色体。大耳姬鼠的核型中,有１３对端着丝点染色体,２对亚端着丝点染色体,１对亚中着丝点染色体和７对中着丝点染色体。中华姬鼠Ｃ－带核型中,所有染色体着丝点Ｃ－带都呈强阳性,异染色质非常丰富,Ｙ染色体整条深染。在大林姬鼠Ｃ－带核型中,Ｎｏｓ．７,１１,１５,２１,２２着丝点Ｃ－带弱化甚至近阴性,其余染色体着丝点异染色质Ｃ－带都呈现程度不同的阳性。且Ｎｏｓ．２,４,７有强弱不同的端位异染色质带。Ｘ染色体着丝点区有大块的异染色质斑带出现,Ｙ染色体整条深染。大耳姬鼠除Ｎｏｓ．３,４,１０,１２,１３染色体着丝点Ｃ－带很弱外,其余染色体着丝点Ｃ－带均呈阳性,并有８对（Ｎｏｓ．１６－２３）染色体出现异染色质短臂。从总体上看,大林姬鼠和大耳姬鼠的着丝点异染色质明显比中华姬鼠的少。中华姬鼠的Ａｇ－ＮＯＲ     

Cytogenetic analysis of the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis): a comparison of R-banded karyotype and chromosomal distribution of centromeric satellite DNAs, telomeric sequence, and 18S-28S rRNA genes with domestic water buffaloes

The karyotype of the tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis, 2n = 46) was investigated by RBG-banding technique and compared with those of the river and the swamp cytotypes of domestic water buffalo (B. bubalis). The tamaraw karyotype consisted of 6 submetacentric and 16 acrocentric autosome pairs (NAA = 56), and X and Y chromosomes. The RBG-banded karyotype of the three taxa had a high degree of homology, and the tamaraw karyotype could be explained by a Robertsonian translocation between chromosomes 7 and 15 and by a telomere-centromere tandem fusion between chromosomes 4p and 12 of the standardized river buffalo cytotype (2n = 50, NAA = 58). The buffalo satellite I and II DNAs were localized to the centromeric regions of all the tamaraw chromosomes. The biarmed chromosome 2 of the tamaraw resulting from the fusion between chromosomes 7 and 15 of the standard contained much larger amounts of the satellite I DNA than the other biarmed chromosomes, suggesting that this chromosome was formed by a relatively recent Robertsonian fusion. The (TTAGGG)n telomeric sequence was specifically localized to the telomeric region of all the buffalo chromosomes. The 18S + 28S rDNA was localized to the telomeric regions of the chromosomes 5p, 7, 19, 21, and 22 of the tamaraw and of their homologous chromosomes in the river and swamp buffalo cytotypes.     

水貂的染色体研究

采用复制带、C带和硝酸银染色等分带技术研究了水貂的核型和带型。结果表明,2n=30,枝型为10（M）＋16（SM）＋2（A）,XX（M）。C-带显示该水貂的一些染色体的结构异染色质比较丰富,从着丝粒区域延伸到两臂上,No.5染色体着丝粒结构异染色质有些弱化;X染色体的结构异染色质较常染色体的丰富。Ag-NORs有3个,分布在No.8染色体的次缢痕区域和一条No.2染色体长臂接近着丝粒的区域。     

Chromosomal polymorphism of Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1758) (rodentia: muridae) in Central Anatolia

In this study, conventionally stained, C- and Ag-NOR banded karyotypes of Rattus rattus from Central Anatolia are presented. The karyotype of the specimens from Ankara and (Cankiri provinces consist of 2n = 38, NF = 60 and NFa = 58 while the karyotype of Kirikkale specimens consist of 2n = 38 and NFa = 59 due to a heteromorphic autosome pair. The X is a large to medium sized acrocentric and the Y chromosome is a small acrocentric in all examined specimens. Constitutive heterochromatin is located in the centromeric regions of all pairs of autosomes and the X chromosome. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are located only in 3 autosome pairs.     

Karyotypes and systematics of Asian high-mountain voles, genus Alticola (Rodentia, Arvicolidae). Results of Mongolian-German biological expeditions since 1962, No. 211.

Six species/subspecies of Asian high-mountain voles, genus Alticola, were studied cytogenetically via conventional staining and C- and G-banding. The karyotypes are very similar. The standard karyotype, as in A. strelzovi strelzovi, consists of 56 chromosomes. These are split into 25 acrocentric pairs, one large subtelocentric pair, one small metacentric pair, a large acrocentric X chromosome, and a small Y chromosome, which varies in shape. Constitutive heterochromatin is almost entirely restricted to small centromeric regions. A small submetacentric pair of autosomes in both subspecies of A. semicanus and a medium-sized Y chromosome in A. argentatus severtzovi are of importance in systematics. The data suggest that A. barakshin, A. semicanus, and A. argentatus are separate species.     

赤斑羚和斑羚核型比较研究

本文对赤斑羚（ＮａｅｍｏｒｈｅｄｕｓＣｒａｎｂｒｏｏｋｉ）和斑羚（Ｎ．ｇｏｒａｌｇｒｉｓｅｕｓ）的染色体Ｇ带、Ｃ带和Ａｇ－ＮＯＲｓ的数目、分布等作了较详细的比较研究。赤斑羚２ｎ＝５６全部为近端着丝粒染色体,Ｎ．Ｆ＝５４;斑羚２ｎ＝５４,除Ｎｏ．３是亚中着丝粒染色体外,具有丰富的异染色质;二者Ｇ带带纹相似程度高,其Ｎｏ．３长臂Ｇ带带纹相似。斑羚的Ｎｏ．３短臂与赤斑羚Ｎｏ．２７近端着丝粒染色体的大小、     

Cytogenetic study on Microtus guentheri (Danford and Alston, 1880) (mammalia: rodentia) from Turkey: constitutive heterochromatin distribution and nucleolar organizer regions

Conventionally stained, C- and Ag-NOR banded karyotypes of Guenther's vole, Microtus guentheri were studied from Turkey. The species possesses a karyotype of 2n = 54, NFa = 52 and NF = 54 in specimens from Kahramanmara? and Gaziantep provinces, whereas NF = 56 in females and NF = 55 in males were found in individuals from Kirikkale and Nev?ehir provinces. The X chromosome was a large acrocentric (NF = 54) or submetacentric (NF = 55, 56) while the Y chromosome was a small telocentric in all specimens examined. Blocks of constitutive heterochromatin were located in the pericentromeric areas of autosomes including the X chromosome. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were located at the telomeric regions of the short arms of five acrocentric pairs and centromeric regions of two telocentric pairs in the Nev?ehir and Kirikkale specimens.     

Karyotypes of Rana tagoi Okada with diploid number 28 in the Chausu Mountains of the Minamishinshu district of Nagano Prefecture, Japan (Anura: Ranidae)

Karyotypes of Tago's brown frog Rana tagoi from the Chausu mountains in Minamishinshu of Nagano Prefecture were examined by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding and late replication (LR)-banding. Chromosome number was 2n = 28 in all cases. The 28 chromosomes consisted of four pairs (1-4) of large biarmed chromosomes, two pairs (5-6) of telocentric chromosomes and eight pairs (7-14) of small biarmed chromosomes. Chromosome pair 11 had a secondary constriction on the long arm. In females, the C-band on the long arm of chromosome pair 6 was detected in both homologs, but was absent from the arms of the homologs of chromosome pairs 5 and 9. In males, C-bands were found in the long arms of both homologs of chromosome pairs 5 and 6, were present only in one homolog of chromosome pair 5 for certain male specimens and found in only one homolog of chromosome pair 9. Specimens of R. tagoi (2n = 28) should thus have two pairs of telocentric chromosomes to provide the same number of chromosome arms, these originating quite likely from chromosome pair 1 in the 26-chromosome specimens by centric fission. Heteromorphic sex chromosomes of the XX-XY type in R. tagoi (2n = 28) in the Chausu mountains were identified. Karyotypes of tail-tip cells from a hybrid tadpole between female R. tagoi (2n = 26) from the Hinohara village in Tokyo and male R. tagoi (2n = 28) from the Chausu mountain population were examined by squash preparation. Chromosome number was 2n = 27 in all tadpoles. The 27 chromosomes consisted of one chromosome set of R. tagoi (2n = 28) and one of R. tagoi (2n = 26).     

The chromosome banding pattern in two cytotypes (2n = 36 and 38) of blind mole rats from Turkey (Mammalia: Spalaxidae)

Two cytotypes (2n = 36 and 38) of blind mole rats, Nannospalax xanthodon (Nordmann, 1840), from the Ayd?n and Manisa provinces in Turkey were investigated. Conventional chromosome staining, Ag-NOR staining and C-banding analysis were carried out. From the cytogenetic point of view, the particular phylogenetic position of these populations is supported by their low diploid numbers only, and the Cbanding pattern and the NORs distribution seem generally similar to populations with higher chromosome numbers. Several autosomal pairs with centromeric dark Cbands were observed in the 2n=36 cytotype. One autosomal pair possessed an interstitial dark C-band on the short arm; another pair possessed an interstitial dark Cband on the long arm. Whole C-heterochromatic short arms were observed in three subtelocentric autosomal pairs in the 2n=38 cytotype. Most of the other autosomal pairs possessed centromeric dark C-bands. Distinct dark C-bands were observed also in the presumed X chromosomes of both the cytotypes. The Ag-NOR regions were found on three autosomal pairs of both the cytotypes. These sites were located in telomeric areas of the short arms of two subtelocentric and one submetacentric pair.     

Karyotype, centric fusion polymorphism and chromosomal aberrations in captive-born mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula)

Chromosomes of fourteen captive-born mountain reedbucks (Redunca fulvorufula) have been investigated. The diploid chromosome number was 2n = 56 (FN = 60). The mountain reedbuck karyotype consists of 26 acrocentric and two biarmed chromosome pairs resulting from two centric fusions involving chromosomes 2 and 25, and 6 and 10, respectively. In some animals, 57 chromosomes were detected. Variation in the diploid number was found to be due to polymorphism for the centric fusion 6;10. Both X and Y chromosomes are large and acrocentric. The entire Y chromosome and the proximal part of the X chromosome consist of heterochromatin. The chromosomes X, 9 and 14 appeared to be of caprine type. Chromosome aberrations have been detected in two of the 14 animals investigated. A de novo formed Robertsonian translocation rob(6;13) was found in one female heterozygous for the fusion 6;10. CBG-banding revealed one block of centromeric heterochromatin in the de novo formed translocation rob(6;13) and also in the evolutionarily fixed centric fusions 6;10 and 2;25. One examined male homozygous for fusion 6;10, had a mosaic 56,XY/57,XYY karyotype, with 11% of analyzed cells containing two Y chromosomes. The findings were confirmed by cross-species fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with bovine (Bos taurus L.) chromosome painting probes. The study demonstrates the relevance of cytogenetic screening in captive animals from zoological gardens.