Open AccessLocalization of nucleolar organizing regions in European hedgehogs (Insectivora, Mammalia)
Author(s) -
MANDAHL NILS
Publication year - 1979
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.1601-5223.1979.tb01657.x
Subject(s) - secondary constriction , biology , insectivora , hedgehog , karyotype , nucleolus organizer region , silver stain , chromosome , genetics , heterochromatin , evolutionary biology , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene
The chromosomes of twenty‐six Western European and two Eastern European hedgehogs were analyzed by a silver‐staining technique in combination with G‐banding. Some differences in the localization of Ag‐NORs were found between and within the species. No distinct secondary constriction was noticed in the hedgehog karyotypes. The NORs were all located terminally, usually close to large C‐heterochromatic blocks. NORs were present in 6 chromosome pairs, although in individual animals Ag‐NORs were found in 3–5 pairs. The variable pattern of distribution of NORs in the hedgehog is discussed with reference to the situation in man, the mouse and the rat. Since a large number of size variants of the C‐blocks occurred, individual chromosomes could be scored for presence or absence of Ag‐NORs. Silver‐stained NORs were found in all variants except in the smallest one of one chromosome pair. In some pairs, the presence or absence of C‐blocks and Ag‐NORs coincided. The possible correlation between presence of a NOR in one chromosome and absence in others is briefly discussed.