Cytogenetic characterization of two turtle species: Trachemys dorbigni and trachemys scripta elegans

Abstract

Cytogenetic analyses were done for the first time for the turtle species Trachemys dorbigni and Trachemys scripta elegans. Studies involved several different cytogenetic techniques: the nucleolus organizer region was studied by impregnation with silver nitrate and by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH); heterochromatin was studied with restriction enzymes, digestion using trypsin, and staining with CMA3 fluorochrome. All specimens showed a diploid number of 50 consisting of 13 macro and 12 microchromosomes. The Ag-NORs are located on the long arm of the first pair of microchromosomes, confirmed by results obtained using FISH. G-banding and restriction enzymes facilitated the recognition and pairing of macrochromosomes. The results did not point differences between the karyotypes of the two species. © 2008 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.