Chromosome studies in the mammalian subfamily Antilopinae

The karyology was studied in nine species of Antilopinae and evaluated with regard to cytotaxonomic relations within the subfamily. Karyotypes of three of these species were previously undescribed. Chromosomes were examined by conventional staining methods, G-, C-, and T-banding techniques, and by autoradiography. Evolutionary differentiation of karyotypes in this group is characterized by extensive Robertsonian fusions and a particular translocation between the X chromosome and an autosome. With comparison of Giemsa-banding patterns a taxonomy has been constructed which differs most markedly from the classical taxonomy in two aspects: the blackbuck, Antilope cervicapra, shows a strong karyotypic affinity to gazelles of the subgenus Nanger; Thomson's gazelle, Gazella thomsoni, lacks the numerous Robertsonian fusions and the X-autosome translocation common to other members of Gazella studied to date. Cases of intraspecific polymorphism of chromosome morphology and number are presented.