A comparative study of karyotypes of muntjacs by chromosome painting

• Published in: Chromosoma Vol. 103; no. 9; pp. 642 - 652
• Main Authors: Yang, F, Carter, N P, Shi, L, Ferguson-Smith, M A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austria 01-05-1995
• Subjects: Animals; Biological Evolution; Chromosome Banding - methods; Chromosome Banding - veterinary; Chromosomes - genetics; Female; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry; Genome; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; Indoles - chemistry; Karyotyping; Male; Muntjacs - genetics; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Translocation, Genetic
• ISSN: 0009-5915; 1432-0886
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00357691

We have used a combination of chromosome sorting, degenerate oligonucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction (DOP-PCR), chromosome painting and digital image capturing and processing techniques for comparative chromosome analysis of members of the genus Muntiacus. Chromosome-specific "paints" from a female Indian muntjac were hybridised to the metaphase chromosomes of the Gongshan, Black, and Chinese muntjac by both single and three colour chromosome painting. Karyotypes and idiograms for the Indian, Gongshan, Black and Chinese muntjac were constructed, based on enhanced 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) banding patterns. The hybridisation signal for each paint was assigned to specific bands or chromosomes for all of the above muntjac species. The interspecific chromosomal homology was demonstrated by the use of both enhanced DAPI banding and comparative chromosome painting. These results provide direct molecular cytogenetic evidence for the tandem fusion theory of the chromosome evolution of muntjac species.