Sex-chromosome translocations and karyotypes in bovid tribes

Abstract

Chromosomes of species from four bovid tribes are discussed in this paper. Two of the tribes are characterized by species with translocations or other unusual features involving the sex chromosomes. The other two tribes are characterized by a complete lack of unusual sex-chromosome arrangements. Groupings by sex-chromosome characteristics are consistent with classical taxonomic categories.

Some Chromosomal Aspects of Naemorhedus goral (Goral) and Procapra gutturosa (Mongolian Gazelle)

“…The karyotypes of both males of the saiga and Mongolian gazelle were found to have similar chromosome patterns with diploid numbers of 2n=60 (Wurster et al, 1968;Soma et al, 1979).…”

“…The chromosome features of Capricornis crispus (Japanese serow) have already been clarified by Benirschke et al (1972). At that time, further genetic comparison between Capricornis and Naemorhedus was suggested because the karyotypes of a male Naemorhedus cranbrooki and a female Naemorhedus griseus showed an unusual diploid number 55 (Wurster, 1972). It has not been settled whether the goral has a diploid number of chromosomes of 54 or 56.…”

“…The chromosomes of a male Naemorhedus goral cranbrooki and a female N.g. griseus have been examined by Wurster and Benirschke (1972). Both possessed one unpaired submetacentric and one acrocentric which were presumed to be involved in a Robertsonian system, so that the chromosomes of Naemorhedus goral have not yet been fixed.…”

The Chromosomes of the Japanese Serow, Capricornis crispus (Temminck)

“…The structural features of the metacentric elements are superficially similar to the chromosomes described in the present report, in particular the unusually large first element. Strikingly different is the X chromosome, usually an acrocentric element in bovids unless complex translocations have occurred (Wurster, 1972).…”

“…Of further interest is the reduction of the NF in the Sumatran species, usually at 60 in bovids with few exceptions (Wurster, 1972).…”