[Comparative cytogenetics of three species of South American field hamsters of the genus Akodon (Rodentia, Cricetidae)]

Abstract

A karyological analysis of three species of South American field mice of the genus Akodon from four different localities of the Department of Tarija, Bolivian Republic, was performed. In Akodon simulator, 2n = 40 - 42, NFa = 42. The variation of the diploid number is caused by a polymorphism of the Robertsonian type involving six pairs of acrocentric chromosomes. Five variants of karyotypes were revealed. The chromosome set of A. sp. has 2n = 36, NFa = 40; in A. toba, 2n = 42 - 43, NFa = 44 - 46. The variation of the diploid number and the number of autosomal arms is caused by the polymorphism of the first autosomal pair. A comparative karyological analysis of A. simulator, A. sp., and A. toba revealed a high level of similarity of all karyotypic elements. Fifteen autosomal pairs of these three species have identical G-banding patterns; the others are involved in formation of larger chromosomes, representing one possible combination of the same chromosomal material. The set of rearrangements is limited only to tandem chromosome fusions.