Karyologic variation in different phenotypes of sciurus granatensis (rodentia, sciuridae)

Abstract

Seven specimens of Sciurus granatensis (redtailed squirrel) rescued from illegal fauna traffic in Colombia were studied; they had different phenotypes according to colour. G, C, Q, R and NOR chromosome banding was used, being found a 2n=42 diploid number for the Sciurus granatensis Colombian squirrels. There were 3 karyomorphs according to fundamental number (FN) and different chromosomal characteristics caused by rearregement, suggesting that S. granatensis represents a complex of species. Relationships between karyotype and phenotype were not observed. The variation in the colour of sqirrels' fur was probably due to environmental conditions.

Siete ejemplares de Sciurus granatensis (ardilla colombiana) de diferentes fenotipos según color, rescatadas del tráfico ilegal de fauna silvestre de Colombia fueron estudiadas. Mediante técnicas convencionales de bandeo cromosómico G, C, Q, R y NOR se estableció su cariotipo 2n=42. Se encontraron tres cariomorfos de acuerdo al Número Fundamental (NF) y características propias de cada uno de los complementos ocasionadas por distintos rearreglos cromosómicos, lo cual sugiere que S. granatensis es un complejo de especies. No se observó relación entre cariotipo y fenotipo. La variación en el color del pelaje se debe probablemente a las condiciones ambientales.