Chromosome Banding of Chrysocyon brachyurus (Mammalia, Canidae)

Abstract

The maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, is a vulnerable species of the Canidae family inhabiting tall grass savannas and grasslands of central South America. Few ecological and genetical studies have been conducted on this canid. From a cytogenetic viewpoint, the karyotype of C. brachyurus is closely similar to that of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) although both species differ each other in the diploid number and fundamental number (2n=76 and FN=78; 2n=78 and FN=80, respectively). In the present study, different chromosome banding methods (G, C, Ag-NOR and base-specific fluorochrome staining) were used for a better chromosome characterization of C. brachyurus. Additionally, some aspects of the chromosome evolution of Canidae were also discussed.