Chromosomal Study on the Three Local Races of the Striated Spined Loach

Cobitis taenia striata

Abstract

Three local races of the striated spined loach (Cobitis taenia striata) are studied karyologically. The large race is tetraploid, while the middle and small races are diploid. Aneuploidy is found among males of the small race. Speciation at the diploid level is supposed to occur besides that by polyploidy. Morphological differentiation of the sex chromosome is also discussed.