The chromosome banding pattern in two cytotypes (2n = 36 and 38) of blind mole rats from Turkey (Mammalia: Spalaxidae)

Abstract

Two cytotypes (2n = 36 and 38) of blind mole rats, Nannospalax xanthodon (Nordmann, 1840), from the Aydın and Manisa provinces in Turkey were investigated. Conventional chromosome staining, Ag-NOR staining and C-banding analysis were carried out. From the cytogenetic point of view, the particular phylogenetic position of these populations is supported by their low diploid numbers only, and the Cbanding pattern and the NORs distribution seem generally similar to populations with higher chromosome numbers. Several autosomal pairs with centromeric dark Cbands were observed in the 2n=36 cytotype. One autosomal pair possessed an interstitial dark C-band on the short arm; another pair possessed an interstitial dark Cband on the long arm. Whole C-heterochromatic short arms were observed in three subtelocentric autosomal pairs in the 2n=38 cytotype. Most of the other autosomal pairs possessed centromeric dark C-bands. Distinct dark C-bands were observed also in the presumed X chromosomes of both the cytotypes. The Ag-NOR regions were found on three autosomal pairs of both the cytotypes. These sites were located in telomeric areas of the short arms of two subtelocentric and one submetacentric pair.