Cytogenetic studies on Sauria (Reptilia). I. Mitotic chromosomes of the Agamidae

Abstract

The karotypes of nine species of the family Agamidae were analyzed with various banding techniques and conventional cytogenetic stainings. Whereas the examined species of the genera Calotes and Leiolepis exhibit conservative karyotypes, the chromosome number and chromosome morphology varies considerably within the genus Agama. This is attributed to centric fusions between telocentric chromosomes and pericentric inversions within the chromosomes. None of the species demonstrated multiple quinacrine banding patterns in the euchromatic segments of the metaphase chromosomes. This is probably due to the special DNA organization in these organisms.