A new review and karyological analysis of Leiolepis belliana and L. boehmei (Reptilia, Agamidae) from a population in southern Thailand

ABSTRACT

The diploid number of both Leiolepis belliana and L. boehmei was 2n = 2x = 36. In addition, the karyotype of the two species exhibited many conserved characteristics, including six pairs of macrochromosomes and 12 pairs of microchromosomes, the type and size of the macrochromosomes, and the position of the secondary constriction and nucleolar organizer region (NOR). However, while the position of the NOR region was identical in both species, in L. belliana it was found on both chromosomes of the first pair, and in L. boehmei it appeared on only one of the chromosome of the first pair, classified as 1a. No cytologically distinguishable sex chromosome was observed in either species. The karyotype formulae of L. belliana and L. boehmei were identical: 2n (36) = L^m₄ + M^m₆ + S^m₂ + 24 microchromosomes.

KEYWORDS:

• Leiolepis belliana
• Leiolepis boehmei
• karyotype
• chromosome

Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the received scholarship grant from the Pattani Campus Research Fund, contract number: SAT600675S. We would like to thank the laboratory of Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University Pattani Campus for available help. The project was approved by the Institute of Animals for Scientific Purpose Development of National Research Council of Thailand (Resolution U1-02740-2559).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Prince of Songkla University, Pattani Campus, General Research Grants [SAT600675S];