First chromosome characterization in the large indian civet, Viverra zibetha (Carnivora, Viverridae) in Thailand by conventional staining and GTG-banded technique

Abstract

This research was the first cytogenetic study of large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha) in Thailand. Blood samples of the species were taken from two males and one female kept in Songkhla Zoo, Songkhla province, Thai- land. After the standard whole blood lymphocyte culture in presence of colchicine, the metaphase spreads were performed on microscopic slides and air-dried. Conventional staining and GTG-banded technique were applied to stain the chromosomes. The karyotype of large Indian civet show that diploid chromosome number was 2n=38, and the fundamental number (NF) were 72 in female and 71 in male. The autosomes consist of 4 large metacentric, 10 large submetacentric, 10 large acrocentric, 2 large telocentric, 2 medium metacentric, 2 medium acrocentric, 4 small acrocentric and 2 small telocentric chromosomes. The X chromosome was large submetacentric and the Y chromosome was the smallest telocentric chromosome. Idiogram represent banding pattern at the metaphase chromosome was 345 bands and found that chromosome pairs 13 was the satellite marker chromosome that have secondary constriction on long length arm. These results will be useful for future studies of breeding, conservation, chromosome evolution and basic genetics information in this species.