Comparative study of G- and C-banded chromosomes of five species of Microtidae: a chromosomal evolution analysis

Abstract

G-banded karyotypes were compared in the following species of Microtidae: Microtus nivalis, M. cabrerae, M. arvalis, and Arvicola sapidus. Previous observations on A. sapidus and A. terrestris were also incorporated in this study. The results show that Robertsonian translocations and pericentric inversions are common mechanisms involved in the karyotypic evolution of this group. Interspecific differences on the G-banding patterns were also analysed, and an attempt was made to establish a presumptive phylogenetic tree.Key words: chromosomal evolution, Microtidae, G-bands, C-bands.