Chromosomes of Five Species of Indian Vespertilionid Bats

Abstract

SUMMARYChromosome numbers have been determined from the bone marrow cells of the five vespertilionid bats. In three species of the genus Pipistrellus the diploid numbers are 2 n=34, 36 and 38. In two species of the genus Scotophilus the diploid number is 2 n=36. It is suggested that Robertsonian type of mechanism (centric fusion or fission) has played a major role in the karyotype evolution in the genus Pipistrellus.