Chromosomal homology of Uraeotyphlus oxyurus group of species (Amphibia, Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae)

Abstract

Uraeotyphlus oxyurus (Dumeril et Bibron, 1841), U. interruptus Pillai et Ravichandran, 1999, U. narayani Seshachar, 1939 and U. menoni Annandale, 1913 were cytogenetically analysed following conventional and differential staining techniques. These species show similar karyotypes with 2n=36 (FN=58). There were no traces of species-specific features in regard to C-banding and NOR staining. The comparative study of karyotypes shows chromosomal homologies among the four species. Chromosomal data seem to support the concept that two species groups exist in the genus Uraeotyphlus. © G. Venu, G. Venkatachalaiah.