Chromosome polymorphism and banding patterns in the owl monkey (Aotus)

Abstract

Diploid numbers, chromosome morphology, G- and C-banding characterisitics and pelage phenotypes were studied in 330 owl monkeys (Aotus) captured and exported from several parts of South America. Among these animals, seven distinctive karyotypes were recognized by the number of chromosomes and their individual identification by G- and C-banding methods. These seven karyotypes were distributed among four distinctive phenotypes differentiated by color patterns in the pelage. These specific phenotypes were designated in this study with capital letters (A through D) and the karyotypes by Roman numerals (I-VII), followed in parentheses by their diploid number. Specimens with phenotype A originated from Brazil and their karyotypes all conformed to a type designated karyotype I (2n=54). Animals classified as having phenotype B were exported from Colombia and their karyotypes were designated as karyotypes II (2n=54), III (2n=53), IV (2n=52), and V (2n=46). Monkeys received from Peru were designated as phenotype C and karyotype VII (2n=52). A group of owl monkeys received from Bolivia were designated as having karyotype VI (2n=50 male; 2n=49 female). Their distinctive phenotype was labeled D. All males in this sample had a diploid number of 49 and the Y-chromosome was translocated to an autosome.