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

• Main Authors: Alexandra M. R. Bezerra, Juliana Pagnozzi, Ana Paula Carmignotto, Yatiyo Yonenaga-Yassuda, Flávio Rodrigues
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2012-04-01
• Series: Comparative Cytogenetics
• Online Access: http://compcytogen.pensoft.net/lib/ajax_srv/article_elements_srv.php?action=download_pdf&item_id=1753

Clyomys Thomas, 1916 is a semifossorial rodent genus of spiny rats represented by only one species, C. laticeps, which inhabits the tropical savannas and grasslands of central Brazil and eastern Paraguay. Here we describe a new karyotype of C. 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.