Heterochromatin composition and nucleolus organizer activity in four canid species

Abstract

Sequential staining with a counterstain-contrasted fluorescent banding technique (chromomycin A3 – distamycin A – DAPI) revealed the occurrence of distamycin A – 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DA–DAPI) staining heterochromatin in the centromeric regions of chromosomes 33, 36, 37, and 38 in the wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) and of chromosomes 13, 16, and 23 in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus). The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) lacked such regions. Staining with DAPI – actinomycin D produced a QFH-type banding pattern with clearcut differences in the staining behaviour of DA–DAPI positive regions between these three canid species. Staining with the fluorochrome D 287/170 did not preferentially highlight any of the DA–DAPI positive regions in any of them. Counterstain-enhanced chromomycin A3 R-banding and studies of nucleolus organizer region location and activity confirmed a close relationship between the karyotype of the wolf and the domestic dog. Few heterochromatic marker bands were encountered in these two species, but heterochromatin polymorphism was evident in the blue fox.Key words: Canidae, heterochromatin, nucleolus organizers.