C-banded Somatic Chromosomes of Megalaima zeylanica caniceps (Franklin) (Capitonidae, Piciformes, Aves). A case of Pericentric Inversion

Abstract

The present paper pertains to the study of somatic chromosomes of an Indian bird, Megalaima zeylanica caniceps (Franklin) (Capitonidae, Piciformes). The diploid chromosome number has been determined to be 2n=90±, there are 17 pairs of macrochromosomes and 28 pairs of microchromosomes. The Z and W chromosomes have been identified to be the largest metacentric and metacentric chromosome of medium length respectively. In one individual a case of pericentric inversion (from st to m type) has been observed in one of the partners of an autosome pair. The C-banding analysis shows occurrence of centromeric, interstitial and terminal heterochromatin in macrochromosomes.