A new karyotype for the spiny rat Clyomys laticeps (Thomas, 1909) (Rodentia, Echimyidae) from Central Brazil

• Published in: Comparative cytogenetics Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 153 - 161
• Main Authors: Bezerra, Alexandra M. R., Pagnozzi, Juliana, Carmignotto, Ana Paula, Yonenaga-Yassuda, Yatiyo, Rodrigues, Flávio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers 01.01.2012
• Subjects: acrocentric chromosomes; Banding; Brazil; Clyomys laticeps; diploidy; Echimyidae; Grasslands; habitats; Karyotypes; karyotyping; National parks; Paraguay; rats; Savannahs; X chromosomes; Brazil; Paraguay; Clyomys; semifossorial habit; taxonomy; Cerrado; cytogenetic; Echimyidae
• ISSN: 1993-0771; 1993-078X; 1993-078X
• DOI: 10.3897/compcytogen.v6i2.1980

Clyomys Thomas, 1916 is a semifossorial rodent genus of spiny rats represented by only one species, Clyomys laticeps, which inhabits the tropical savannas and grasslands of central Brazil and eastern Paraguay. Here we describe a new karyotype of Clyomys laticeps found in populations of Emas National Park, Goiás state, Brazil. The four analyzed specimens had a diploid number (2n) of 32 and a fundamental autosome number (FN) of 54. Cytogenetic data include conventional staining, CBG and GTG-banding. The karyotype presents 12 meta/submetacentric pairs (1 to 12) and 3 pairs of acrocentrics (13 to 15) with gradual decrease in size. The X chromosome is a medium submetacentric and the Y is a medium acrocentric. The semifossorial habits together with habitat specificity could have contributed to the karyological variations found on this genus.