Abstract
The karyotypes of Tylototriton andersoni Boulenger were studied. This species is known to be an endemic salamander of the Ryukyu islands and may be the most primitive species of the Salamandridae. Somatic chromosomes (2n=24) prepared from intestinal tracts of adult males and females were examined with both conventional Giemsa stain and the BSG technique. Karyological characteristics of the primitive species was recognized in comparison with other Japanese newts Cynops pyrrhogaster and C. ensicauda. The C-band pattern also indicated the dissimilarity with other examined species of more advanced salamandrids. No heteromorphic pair of chromosomes was detected between male and female karyograms prepared with either conventional Giemsa or the C-banding method.
