Presumptive sex chromosomes of unisexual homomorphic species of lizards, lepidodactylus lugubris

Abstract

Incorporation of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in prometaphasic chromosomes allows active from inactivated X chromosomes in female mammalian cells to be distinguished. We have applied the technique to the all-female, chromosomally homomorphic gecko Lepidodactylus lugubris. Similar differences to those obtained between the two female sex chromosomes of mammals are observed in the patterns of chromosome pair 1. It is argued that this is more likely to reflect incipient ZW heterogamety than female (XX) homogamety. © 1988, The Genetical Society of Great Britain.