Cytogenetical study in Spalax leucodon Nordm. in Moldavia (Rumania)

Abstract

The karyotype of Spalax leucodon (2n = 56) from Moldavia (Rumania) shows 27 pairs of autosomes: two metacentrics, three submetacentrics, eight suhtelocentrics and 14 acrocentrics. The X chromosomes are the longest subtelocentrics and the Y chromosome is a submetacentric of medium size. In metaphase I we have found a partial homology between the short arm of the X and the Y chromosome.The population of S. leucodon from Moldavia shows considerable differences of karyotype as compared with other populations of the same species from the south of Europe. This species presents a high degree of chromosomal polymorphism in different populations.