Open AccessKaryotypes and idiograms of sperm and pygmy sperm whales
Author(s) -
ÁRNASON ÚLFUR,
BENIRSCHKE KURT
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
hereditas
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1601-5223
pISSN - 0018-0661
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-5223.1973.tb01143.x
Subject(s) - biology , sperm whale , karyotype , sperm , zoology , chromosome number , chromosome , genetics , gene , biochemistry , myoglobin
The somatic chromosomes of the sperm whale, Physeter catodon L. and the pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps B lainville , were studied. The chromosome number of both species is 2n=42. The sperm and pygmy sperm whales are the only cetaceans, so far recorded, with a chromosome number deviating from 2n=44. The karyotypes of the two species studied are entirely different from the general cetacean karyotype.