Chromosome studies in the mammalian subfamily Antilopinae

Abstract

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.

Procapra picticaudata(Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

“…The Y chromosome in 1 male Mongolian gazelle was ''smaller acrocentric without fuzzy arms'' (Soma et al 1979:7). In contrast, the goitered gazelle has a reduced fundamental number of 31, suggesting to Effron et al (1976) and Groves (2000) that Mongolian gazelle (and other Procapra species) represents the primitive karyotype.…”

“…Groves (1967) identified 3 demes: a Ladakh deme in northwestern Tibet (largest relative to size), a southern Tibet deme, and a Sichuan deme. Most morphological and phylogenetic analyses recognize Procapra in western China, Mongolia, and southern Russia as an independent, gazellelike lineage with unique characteristics (narrow nasals [Pilgrim 1939]; modestly patterned pelage, hornless females [Groves 1967]; and presumed primitive karyotype [Effron et al 1976;Groves 2000;Orlov et al 1978;Sokolov and Lushchekina 1997]). Some taxonomists have included these western Asian species in Gazella (Brooke 1873;Sclater and Thomas 1898;Ward et al 1914), or at least considered them to have arisen from an old lineage of Gazella (Heptner et al 1989).…”

Comparative Analysis (Hippotragini versus Caprini, Bovidae) of X-Chromosome's Constitutive Heterochromatin by in situ Restriction Endonuclease Digestion: X-Chromosome Constitutive Heterochromatin Evolution

“…Although the diploid chromosome number ranges from 2n ¼ 30 to 2n ¼ 60, the number of autosomal arms (NAA) has remained constant at 56-58 for most species. Chromosomal change in the Bovidae has occurred primarily through centric fusion (Wurster & Benirschke, 1968;Effron et al, 1976;Buckland & Evans, 1978a;Gallagher & Womack, 1992;Gallagher, Derr & Womack, 1994). Although there is good evidence of tandem rearrangements in some species (Gallagher & Womack, 1992) and paracentric inversions in others (Hayes, Petit & Dutrillaux,1991;Robinson et al, 1998), these seem to be the exception rather than the rule.…”

<italic>Equus kiang</italic> (Perissodactyla: Equidae)

“…In congeneric P. gutturosa, diploid number (2n) is 58 chromosomes and fundamental number (FN) is 60; somatic and sex chromosomes are acrocentric (Orlov et al 1978;Sokolov and Lushchekina 1997). To Effron et al (1976), Orlov et al (1978), and Groves (2000), these characteristics suggested a primitive karyotype.…”