Mapping of the Salivary Gland Chromosomes of Musca domestica (Muscidae: Diptera)

Abstract

The present investigations deal with the mapping of the salivary gland chromosomes of the common house fly, Musca domestica (Muscidae: Diptera).
Cytological map for five pairs of long, synapsed, polytene chromosomes has been constructed and a detailed description is presented for each chromosomal arm. They have been designated and classified purely in an arbitrarily fashion. The chromosomal complement of Musca domestica has been divided into 43 zones. A definite chromocentre is absent. Each chromosome has a separate centromere which serves as a marker to separate its right and left arms.
The pair I constituted by the sex chromosomes has not been observed. They may be largely inert.