Comparative cytogenetic studies in tree shrews (Tupaia)

Abstract

Through use of BrdU replication, RBA-banded karyotypes of Tupaia belangeri, T. chinensis, and T. glis were obtained. A chromosome number of 2n = 62 for T. belangeri is described here for the first time and is confirmed for T. chinensis. All chromosomes between these two phenotypically different species appear to have identical RBA banding patterns; in addition, there is no difference between T. belangeri and T. chinensis in the number and position of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs). The reduced chromosome number of 2n = 60 in T. glis can be explained by a Robertsonian translocation between two acrocentric chromosome pairs, Nos. 10 and 13, of T. belangeri and/or T. chinensis, resulting in the metacentric chromosome pair 1 of T. glis. Furthermore, two chromosome pairs each of T. glis and T. belangeri and/or T. chinensis are not homoeologous, as judged by their RBA patterns. Differences were also found in the number and position of NORs; whereas T. glis displays eight positively stained NORs after AgNO3 staining, there are only four silver-stained NORs in both T. belangeri and T. chinensis. The possibility of geographical isolation as an explanation for the lack of chromosomal differentiation between T. belangeri and T. chinensis is discussed.