Identification of regions of constitutive heterochromatin and sites of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in Rhogeessa hussoni (Genoways & Baker, 1996) (Chiroptera; Mammalia; Vespertilionidae)

Abstract

There is scarce information about the geographical distribution, biological and cytogenetic data from the Rhogeessa hussoni. This study aims to characterize its chromosome composition through chromosome bandings to visualize regions of constitutive heterochromatin (CGB bands) and sites of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in R. hussoni’s karyotype. A female specimen of R. hussoni was collected in the “Parque Municipal Mário Viana” Conservation Unit, Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Central-West region of Brazil. The karyotype constitution was 2n=52 and NF=54. The CBG bands evidenced a sex X chromosome nearly completely constituted by heterochromatin. The Rhogeessa hussoni has two sites of rDNA located in a single pair (pair 25) of autosomal chromosomes. We carried out the first cytogenetic characterization of R. hussoni, supplementing knowledge about regions of heterochromatin and ribosomal DNA in this species, thus contributing to future elucidations about the genetic diversification in the genus Rogheessa.