Somatic Chromosome Complements of Four Passerine Birds and Their Karyological Relationship

SUMMARY

Karyotypes of Dicrurus adsimilis, Dicrurus caerulescens, Anthus novaesselandiae rufulus and Dendrocitta vagabunda vagabunda belonging to three different families of order Passeriformes have been studied. The 2n ranged in these 4 species from 68 ± to 90 ± and Z- and W-chromosomes were identified in all except in Anthus novaesselandiae rufulus The karyotypes of D. adsimilis, D. caerulescens and D. v. vagabunda show a general resemblance whereas of A. n. rufulus has a different karyotype. Karyotypic relationship among confamilial and interfamilial species have been discussed.