Cytogenetic characteristic of the Caucasian pygmy shrew ( Sorex volnuchini ) and Levant mole ( Talpa levantis ) (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla) in northern Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The karyotype of the Caucasian pygmy shrew (Sorex volnuchini) consists of 2n 40 NFa 54. The X chromosome is metacentric and the Y chromosome is large acrocentric. In the chromosome set, there are six metacentric/submetacentric, one large subtelocentric, one small metacentric, and 11 acrocentric autosomal chromosome pairs. C-negative and C-positive heterochromatin band regions are determined in the karyotype. NORs were localized in the secondary constriction in autosomal pair no. 17 of Sorex volnuchini . The diploid number of the Levant mole ( Talpa levantis ) is 2n 34, NFa 64. The X chromosome is medium size and metacentric. The Y chromosome is the smallest chromosome in the karyotype. There are 10 pairs of metacentric, three submetacentric, and three subtelocentric chromosomes in the chromosome set and X is metacentric and Y is acrocentric. In the karyotype, NOR is located in the secondary constriction region of chromosome no. 8.