Abstract
Rodents constitute one of the most diversified mammalian orders. Due to the morphological similarity in many of the groups, their taxonomy is controversial. Karyotype information proved to be an important tool for distinguishing some species because some of them are species-specific. Additionally, rodents can be an excellent model for chromosome evolution studies since many rearrangements have been described in this group.This work brings a review of cytogenetic data of Brazilian rodents, with information about diploid and fundamental numbers, polymorphisms, and geographical distribution. We point out that, even with the recent efforts on cytogenetic studies in this group, many species lack karyotypic data. Moreover, we describe for the first time the karyotype of Carterodon sulcidens (Lund, 1838) (Family Echimyidae), a new fundamental number for an undescribed species of Neacomys Thomas, 1900 (Family Cricetidae, Subfamily Sigmodontinae), and illustrate the karyotype of a Brazilian specimen of Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758 (Family Muridae). This review compiles the cytogenetic data on Brazilian rodents reported in the last three decades, after the last revision published in 1984, including synonyms, chromosomal variations, and geographic distribution. Additionally, it also reinforces that Brazilian biodiversity is still poorly known, considering the new data reported here.
Highlights
More than three decades after the last revision of cytogenetics of Brazilian rodents (Kasahara and Yonenaga-Yassuda 1984), in which the karyotypes of approximately 60 species were reported, several new karyotypes and chromosomal rearrangements have been described
It became evident that karyotypic data could contribute to accurate taxonomic information, since different names were applied to groups that shared the same karyotype, and very distinct karyotypes were attributed to a single species
This paper compiles the karyotype of 271 species distributed throughout Brazil, representing an increase of more than 300%
Summary
More than three decades after the last revision of cytogenetics of Brazilian rodents (Kasahara and Yonenaga-Yassuda 1984), in which the karyotypes of approximately 60 species were reported, several new karyotypes and chromosomal rearrangements have been described. In the last 30 years, huge progress has been made, and up to this date, new species have frequently been described. Cytogenetic information on Brazilian rodents was firstly described by Cestari and Imada (1968) for the species referred to as Akodon arviculoides cursor Thomas, 1913. It became evident that karyotypic data could contribute to accurate taxonomic information, since different names were applied to groups that shared the same karyotype, and very distinct karyotypes were attributed to a single species. Major fieldwork efforts in Brazil (especially in unexplored areas) have led to the discovery of many new species
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