Cytogenetic characterisation and chromosomal mapping of microsatellite and telomeric repeats in two gecko species (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) from Thailand

Weera Thongnetr,Chatmongkon Suwannapoom,Alonglod Tanomtong,Surachest Aiumsumang,Sumalee Phimphan,Rodjarin Kongkaew

doi:10.3897/compcytogen.v15.i1.58208

Weera Thongnetr, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3897/compcytogen.v15.i1.58208

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Abstract

Studies of chromosomes of Cyrtodactylus jarujini Ulber, 1993 and C. doisuthep Kunya et al., 2014 to compare microsatellite and TTAGGG sequences by classical and molecular techniques were conducted in Thailand. Karyological typing from a conventional staining technique of C. jarujini and C. doisuthep showed diploid chromosome numbers of 40 and 34 while the Fundamental Numbers (NF) were 56 in both species. In addition, we created the chromosome formula of the chromosomes of C. jarujini showing that 2n (40) = Lsm1 + Lsm2 + Lt3 + Mm1 + Mt4 + Sm2 + Sa2 + St5 while that of C. doisuthep was 2n (34) = Lsm3 + Lm2 + Lt3 + Mm1 + Mt2 + Sm4 + Sa1 + St1. Ag-NOR staining revealed NOR-bearing chromosomes in chromosome pairs 13 and 14 in C. jarujini, and in chromosome pairs 9 and 13 in C. doisuthep. This molecular study used the FISH technique, as well as microsatellite probes including (A)20, (TA)15, (CGG)10, (CGG)10, (GAA)10, (TA)15 and TTAGGG repeats. The signals showed that the different patterns in each chromosome of the Gekkonids depended on probe types. TTAGGG repeats showed high distribution on centromere and telomere regions, while (A)20, (TA)15, (CGG)10, (CGG)10, (GAA)10 and (TA)15 bearing dispersed over the whole genomes including chromosomes and some had strong signals on only a pair of homologous chromosomes. These results suggest that the genetic linkages have been highly differentiated between the two species.

Highlights

The samples of C. jarujini and C. doisuthep were collected from the Phu Wua, Ban Phaeng District, Nakhonphanom Province and Doi Suthep-Pui Range, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand
The present study showed that the chromosome numbers of C. jarujini and C. doisuthep were 40 and 34, respectively
The karyological characteristics of C. jarujini and C. doisuthep obtained in the present study are the first report of chromosome sizes and the chromosome types in these species

Summary

Introduction

Bent-toed geckos (genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) in Thailand have been classified into approximately 24 species (Chuaynkern and Chuaynkern 2012). Sumontha et al (2008), found it in two caves on two sandstone hills, Phu Sing and Phu Thok, where it remained by day on the walls and crevices and emerged from the caves at night. Both in Phu Sing and Phu Thok, syntropy was found with the cave-dwelling agamid Mantheyus phuwuanensis (Manthey and Nabhitabhata 1991). It has been recorded from central and northern Laos (Stuart 1999), but the exact identity of the Lao populations has to be re-evaluated (Fig. 1A). In contrast C. doisuthep is known only from Doisuthep in the Doi Suthep-Pui Range, Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand (Fig. 1B)

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