Abstract

Summary Adult males of Bovicola limbata and B. caprae were cytogenetically analyzed. Both species have n=7, holokinetic chromosomes, and achiasmatic male meiosis. As in other species of Phthiraptera, spermatogenesis follows a particular course with mitotic divisions after meiosis; consequently, cysts of 64 active spermatozoa and 64 non-functional cells (pycnotic nuclei) are encountered. In B. limbata an heteromorphic chromosome pair was observed. The results are compared with previous reports in Phthiraptera. The achiasmatic male meiosis, together with the particular course of spermatogenesis and the low chromosome numbers markedly constrain genetic variability.

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