Chromosome Morphology of the Madagascar tree Boa Sanzinia Madagascariensis

Abstract

The karyotype of Sanzinia madagascariensis (2n = 34, NF = 50) was obtained from peripheral lymphocytes. A survey of chromosome morphology in the Boidae reveals that the karyotype of S. madagascariensis is unique, and not easily derivable from that of other pythons and boas. The significance of this in relation to the zoogeographic anomaly presented by the endemic Madagascar boas Sanzinia and Acrantophis is discussed.