抄録
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.
