Comparative analysis of chromosomes in Microtus transcaspicus and Microtus subarvalis (Arvicolidae, Rodentia): High-resolution G-banding and localization of NORs

Abstract

We have defined 402 bands in the haploid set of chromosomes in the vole Microtus transcapicus by applying GTG banding to early metaphase chromosomes. An idiogram of the M. transcaspicus chromosomes has been constructed on the basis of a detailed study of chromosomes at different levels of condensation. Nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) have been localized to M. transcaspicus and M. subarvalis chromosomes by a combination of Ag- and GTG-staining. The banded karyotypes of the two species were compared.