Abstract

Pocket gophers from two chromosomal races (F and G) of Geomys attwateri , G. breviceps (race E), F × G hybrids, and an E × G hybrid were karyotyped and examined for variation in heterochromatin and DNA content. Most specimens were collected from a hybrid zone in East Texas described in detail by Tucker and Schmidly (1981) and Dowler (1989). C-bands and fluorescent dyes (chromomycin A3 and Hoechst 33258) revealed two types of heterochromatin in C-band regions. Distribution of heterochromatin and amount of chromomycin-bright (guanine-cytosine rich) heterochromatin differed markedly between the species, but the mean nuclear DNA content did not differ significantly. This may have resulted from selection for maintenance of a restricted range in genome size, whereas the distribution and base composition of heterochromatin was free to change.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call