Chromosomal localization of the 18S-28S and 5s rRNA genes and (TTAGGG)nsequences of butterfly lizards (Leiolepis belliana belliana and Leiolepis boehmei, Agamidae, Squamata)

Abstract

Chromosomal mapping of the butterfly lizards Leiolepis belliana belliana and L. boehmei was done using the 18S-28S and 5S rRNA genes and telomeric (TTAGGG)nsequences. The karyotype of L. b. bellianawas 2n = 36, whereas that ofL. boehmeiwas 2n = 34. The 18S-28S rRNA genes were located at the secondary constriction of the long arm of chromosome 1, while the 5S rRNA genes were found in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 6 in both species. Hybridization signals for the (TTAGGG)nsequence were observed at the telomeric ends of all chromosomes, as well as interstitially at the same position as the 18S-28S rRNA genes in L. boehmei. This finding suggests that inL. boehmeitelomere-to-telomere fusion probably occurred between chromosome 1 and a micro chromosome where the 18S-28S rRNA genes were located or, alternatively, at the secondary constriction of chromosome 1. The absence of telemetric sequence signals in chromosome 1 ofL. b. belliana suggested that its chromosomes may have only a few copies of the (TTAGGG)nsequence or that there may have been a gradual loss of the repeat sequences during chromosomal evolution. © 2011, Sociedade Brasileira de Genética.