Karyotype Symmetry/Asymmetry Index (S/AI) in Bovidae Taxa

Abstract

The chromosomal data, particularly karyotype asymmetry, provide valuable information on karyotypic phylogeny and speciation. The karyotype asymmetry is a good expression of the general morphology of chromosomes. The S/AI is a formula used to calculate the karyotype asymmetry. The formula was applied to 79 species and five subspecies from 46 genera for female individuals and 72 species and five subspecies from 42 genera for male individuals in the Bovidae family. According to the S/AI values between 1.2903 and 3.0000, the dendrograms were drawn to demonstrate the interspecies relationships in the family. The karyotypes of females were symmetrical in 10 species and two subspecies from 6 genera and between symmetrical and asymmetrical in 69 species and three subspecies from 40 genera. Male karyotypes were symmetrical in 10 species and two subspecies from 6 genera and between symmetrical and asymmetrical in 62 species and three subspecies from 36 genera. The dendrograms will contribute to phylogenetic studies in mammals. Already, they showed results similar to those of molecular taxonomy.