The karyotypes of two scincid lizards, and their bearing on relationships in genus <i>Leiolopisma</i> and its relatives (Scincidae: Lygosominae)

Abstract

Abstract The karyotypes of the skinks Leiolopisma telfairi (Desjardin) and Cyclodina oliveri (McCann) are presented for the first time, from male spceimens. Metaphase cells from intestinal epithelium ( C. oliveri ) and testicular material ( C. oliveri and L. telfairi ) gave the diploid number, 2n = 30, for both species. Heteromorphism of the pair 6 chromosomes was observed in C. oliveri ; this is the first published report of male heterogamety in the Scincidae. A common origin is proposed for L. spenceri and L. telfairi , on the basis of chromosome pair 8 morphology. These species may be more closely allied to Cyclodina than previously believed.