Description of the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) karyotype

The karyotype of the mallard duck, Anas platyrhynchos, was characterised on the basis of R and C bands. Chromosomal preparations obtained from in vitro blood lymphocyte cultures were RBG- and CBG-stained. The structures of nine and 14 pairs of chromosomes were analysed by the RBG and CBG chromosome banding techniques, respectively. The location of R bands, as well as the size and arrangement of constitutive heterochromatin blocks were determined. Ideograms of R and C banded patterns of the analysed chromosomes were drawn. The morphological makeup of the analysed chromosomes was assessed.