Karyotype and chromosome banding in the reed frogHyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus (Amphibia,Anura, Hyperoliidae)

Summary C-banding and mithramycin staining were used to characterize the karyotypes of 10 specimens of the African reed frogHyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus from Tanzania. The diploid chromosome number is 2n=24. Although no heteromorphic sex chromosomes were present in the mitotic karyotypes, in many diakineses of male meiosis one or two bivalents exhibited an end-to-end arrangement. In the laboratory 7 out of 24 females changed sex spontaneously. This indicates that an XY/XX system of sex determination operates inH. viridiflavus ommatostictus.This study was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Schm 484/2-4). We thank K. E. Linsenmair and C. M. Richards for helpful comments on an earlier draft.     

A frog with highly evolved sex chromosomes

Summary Highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes and an exceptionally low genome, size were found in the karyotypes ofPyxicephalus adspersus (Anura, Ranidae). The W-chromosome is considerably smaller than the Z-chromosome and consists to a very great proportion of constitutive heterochromatin. The DNA content of this species and the chromosome length have the lowest values determined in the Ranidae to date.This study was supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. We thank Professor W. Engel for his support and interest.     

Karyology of the primitive salamanders, family Hynobiidae

Karyotypes have been studied in 3 species of Hynobius and in 1 species each of the remaining genera of Hynobiids (Ranodon, Batrachuperus, Salamandrella and Onychodactylus). All species have large diploid numbers, between 56 and 66, and asymmetrical and bimodal karyotypes. DNA contents (2C) were found to vary between 33 and 51 pg. Determination was not possible in Onychodactylus where higher values may be suspected. Some of the karyotypes investigated are similar to those of Cryptobranchids. Phylogenetic implications are discussed.     

Karyology of the primitive slamanders,family hynobiidae

Summary Karyotypes have been studied in 3 species ofHynobius and in 1 species each of the remaining genera of Hynobiids (Ranodon, Batrachuperus, Salamandrella andOnychodactylus). All species have large diploid numbers, between 56 and 66, and asymmetrical and bimodal karyotypes. DNA contents (2C) were found to vary between 33 and 51 pg. Determination was not possible inOnychodactylus where higher values may be suspected. Some of the karyotypes investigated are similar to those of Cryptobranchids. Phylogenetic implications are discussed.Research supported by a grant from the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione.     

Karyotype of Geomys pinetis (Mammalia: Geomyidae), with a discussion of the chromosomal relationships within the genus.

4 of the 5 subspecies of Geomys pinetis were karyotyped. All specimens examined had a diploid number of 42 and a fundamental number of 80. This karyotype was compared with the described karyotypes of other species of Geomys and was considered to be derived from an ancestoral form having a karyotype of about 70 acrocentric elements.     

The karyotypes of the Corsican and Sardinian mountain salamanders,Euproctus montanus andE. platycephalus (Urodela: Salamandridae)

Summary The chromosomes ofEuproctus montanus andE. platycephalus were studied by means of the C-banding method and the AS-SAT technique which are useful for identifying the single pairs of the complement and for recognizing nucleolar organizer regions. According to the morpho-structural characteristics shown by the specific karyotypes, it has been possible to draw some cytotaxonomic deductions concerning the karyological evolution within the insular group.This work was supported by grant CT 76.01271.04/115.3822 from C.N.R., Rome.     

Intersubspecific sex chromosome difference inCitellus citellus L. (Rodentia,Sciuridae)

Summary The autosomal karyotypes of all subspecies studied ofCitellus citellus from Bulgaria do not differ. The X chromosome, by contrast, is different in 1 of the subspecies where it seems to have undergone a pericentric inversion.The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to Prof. Ts. Peshev (Sofia University, Department of Zoology) for providing and identifying the subspecies and also to D. Todorova for her skilful technical help.     

Systematic problems in the frog speciesEupsophus roseus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) detected by karyological analysis

Summary 3 different karyotypes are described in the Chilean frog,Eupsophus roseus, which could be an unnatural assemblage of species. The3 karyological forms are considered as full species.Supported by Proyecto S-77-47, Dirección de Investigación, Universidad Austral de Chile.The technical assistence of Sonia Lacrampe is acknowledged with appreciation.     

Karyotypes of three species of Caviinae (Rodentia,Caviidae)

Summary Chromosomes ofCavia aperea aperea (2n=64; FN=116Galea spixii (2n=64; FN=118) andKerodon rupestris (2n=52; FN=92) are described with data on banding patterns. Comparisons with karyotypes of others species of Caviinae are taken into consideration.The research was supported by Projeto Integrado de Genética (PIG-CNPq) and Academia Brasileira de Ciências (FINEP-85-I).     

Auswirkungen einer definierten Belastung auf die Enzymaktivitäten im Blutplasma bei der Maus Effects of a definite stress on the enzyme activities in blood plasma in mice

Summary The present study was designed to analyze the effects of a short term stress on the quantitative levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP), creatine phosphokinase (CK), aldolase (ALD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactate dehydrogenase-1-isoenzyme (LDH 1) during 24 h after stress. For all the enzymes studied higher values for the activity were found due to stress in comparison to the activity level before the stress. The period during the 24 h after stress to reach maximum activity depends on the enzyme and in part on the sex of the animal.     

Effects of a definite stress on the enzyme activities in blood plasma in mice (author's transl)

The present study was designed to analyze the effects of a short term stress on the quantitative levels of alkaline phosphatase (AP), creatine phosphokinase (CK), aldolase (ALD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactate dehydrogenase-1-isoenzyme (LDH 1) during 24 h after stress. For all the enzymes studied higher values for the activity were found due to stress in comparison to the activity level before the stress. The period during the 24 h after stress to reach maximum activity depends on the enzyme and in part on the sex of the animal.     

I cromosomi di alcuniPipidae (Amphibia Salientia)

Summary The karyotype of the African PipidHymenochirus boettgeri (2n=24, all meta- or submetacentric chromosomes) is different from the one of the African PipidXenopus laevis (2n=36). The karyotype of the American PipidPipa (Protopipa)parva (2n=30, all acrocentric chromosomes) is very primitive and different from the karyotypes of the African Pipids and from that ofPipa pipa; the male meiotic chromosomes ofP. parva, usually with 1 procentric chiasma, show a clear difference from the male bivalents of the other Pipids, all with 2 terminal chiasmata.     

The origin of hemopoietic cells in ectopic implants of spleen and marrow

Summary Spleen and marrow tissues were cross-transplanted between CBA and CBA/HT6 mice. The majority of karyotypes in the regenerated implants were of recipient origin indicating that these implants are chimeric structures with the stroma of donor origin providing a framework for the proliferation of the recipient's hemopoietic stem cell.Supported by NIH Grant AM25510-01 and DOE contract 79EV00899. R. Khademi is currently with University of Isfahan, Iran.     

A method for karyotyping mouse blastocyst embryos developing from in vivo and in vitro fertilized eggs

A method for karyotyping blastocyst-staged mouse embryos is described. The use of this protocol results in the recovery of a high percentage (greater than 70%) of readable karyotypes and can be completed rapidly.     

Demonstration of lateral asymmetry in G-banded mouse embryo chromosomes

Summary Cells obtained from 10-day mouse embryos were cultured for 3 h in medium containing colcemid. Chromosome preparations were subjected to G-banding in either calcium-magnesium free Hank's solution or the ASG method. From one to several occurrences of lateral asymmetry (unequal banding of sister chromatids) were observed in the majority of karyotypes analyzed.Partial support for this study was provided by grant no. 2-PO1-ES00226-10, NIH, NIEHS and by a grant from the National Foundation-March of Dimes. We thank Don Driscoll for his capable assistance.     

Karyotypes of two species of insectivora from Taiwan (Insectivora,Soricidae)

Summary The karyotypes of two Insectivora species from Taiwan are described here for the first time.Soriculus caudatus fumidas has 2n=40 chromosomes, FN=52 andAnourosorex squamipes yamashinai has 2n=50 chromosomes, FN=96. ForA. s. yamashinai the G- and C-banding pattern are presented.Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Dr P. T. Tseng, and Mr H. M. Lin of Taiwan Provincial Institute of Infectious Diseases and to Prof. I. Sawada of Nara University of Education for their help during the collection of the material and their encouragement.     

A method for karyotyping mouse blastocyst embryos developing from in vivo and in vitro fertilized eggs

Summary A method for karyotyping blastocyst-staged mouse embryos is described. The use of this protocol results in the recovery of a high percentage (>70%) of readable karyotypes and can be completed rapidly.This research was supported by NIH grants HD-00827 and HD-09753.     

Cytogenic study of Lophocebus albigena (Primate Catarrhini Cercopithecidae). Description of a male karyotype

GTG chromosomic banding of a male and a female Lophocebus albigena is reported. The chromosome number of the karyotypes is 2 n = 42, characterized by a pair of marked chromosomes and a mediocentric Y chromosome, similar to that of the Lophocebus aterimus.     

Effect of N-6 2'-O-dibutyryl adenosine 3'-5'monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) on the condenstion of the X chromosome into the form of a Barr body]

Addition of exogen DB-c AMP in medium of human fibroblasts culture, with 46 XX karyotypes, enables us to observe a high frequency of Barr bodies, about 80 or 85%. This observation suggests that the condensation of the X chromosome in the form of Barr bodies depends on the level of endogen cyclic AMP.     

Chromosome complement of two species of Amelinae (Dictyoptera: Mantodea)

Summary The karyotypes ofApteromantis aptera (Fuente) andAmeles decolor (Charpentier) are described. Chromosomes numbers in females are 2n=30 and 2n=28 respectively. Sex determination mechanism in both is XO-XX.