Abstract
The chromosome morphology of at least 93 species of carnivores has now been investigated. This information has been summarized and karyotypes of a number of previously unstudied species are presented. Karyotype evolution and interpretation, and the value of cytogenetic information in the study of taxonomy and phylogeny with respect to an understanding of speciation and hybridization are discussed. A complete bibliography is presented for each species.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Taxonomic bibliography
Ahmed, I. A.: Cytologioal analysis of chromosome behavior in three breeds of dogs. Proc. roy. Soc. Edinb. 61, 107–118 (1941).
Andres, A. H.: On the chromosome complex in several Canidae. Cytologia (Tokyo) 9, 35–37 (1938).
Awa, A., M. Sasaki, and S. Takayama: An in vitro study of the somatic chromosomes in several mammals. Jap. J. Zool. 12, 257–265 (1959).
Basrur, P. K.: The somatic chromosomes of the ferret. J. Hered. 57, 110–112 (1966).
—, and J. P. W. Gilman: Chromosome studies in canine lymphosarcoma. Cornell Vet. 56, 451–469 (1966).
—, D. P. Gray, and J. P. W. Gilman: Somatic chromosomes of mink, Mustela vison. Canad. J. Genet. Cytol. 5, 96–97 (1963).
Benirschke, K.: Sterility and fertility of interspecific mammalian hybrids. In: Comparative aspects of reproductive failure (K. Benirschke, ed.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1967.
-, and R. J. Low: Chromosome complement of the coyote, Canis latrans. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 15, 102 (1965).
-, and E. Young: Chromosomes of the fisher (Martes pennanti). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 150 (1966).
- -, and R. J. Low: Chromosome studies on four carnivores. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 148 (1966).
Biggers, J. D., and R. A. McFeely: Intersexuality in domestic mammals. In: Advances in reproductive physiology (A. McLaren, ed.). London: Logos Press 1966.
Bishop, D. W.: Germ cell studies in the male fox (Vulpes fulva). Anat. Rec. 84, 99–115 (1942).
Brown, R. C., W. L. K. Castle, W. H. Huffines, and J. B. Graham: Pattern of DNA replication in chromosomes of the dog. Cytogenetics 5, 206–222 (1966).
Chiarelli, B.: Chromosomes of the lion. J. Hered. 53, 162 (1962).
- The chromosome complement of Potos flavus (kinkajous) Procyonidae (Carnivora). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 160 (1966).
Chu, E. H. Y., H. C. Thuline, and D. E. Norby: Triploid-diploid chimerism in a male tortoiseshell cat. Cytogenetics 3, 1–18 (1964).
Corfman, P. A., and R. M. Richart: Chromosomes of the ring seal. Nature (Lond.) 204, 502–503 (1964).
Cranmore, D., and E. L. Alpen: Chromosomes of the domestic cat. Nature (Lond.) 204, 99–100 (1964).
Ehrlich, I.: Über Chromosomenzahl, Hodenzyklen und Brunft bei Martes foina Erxl. Rev. suisse Zool. 56, 621–626 (1949).
Fay, F. H., V. R. Rausch, and E. T. Feltz: Cytogenetic comparison of some pinnipeds (Mammalia: Eutheria). Canad. J. Zool. 45, 773–778 (1966).
Fraccaro, M., I. Gustavsson, M. Hultén, J. Lindsten, A. Mannini, and L. Tiepolo: DNA replication patterns of canine chromosomes in vivo and in vitro. Hereditas (Lund) 52, 265–270 (1964).
Fredga, K.: The chromosomes of the mink. J. Hered. 52, 91–94 (1961).
—: A new sex determining mechanism in a mammal. Chromosome of an Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). Hereditas (Lund) 52, 411–420 (1964).
Fredga, K.: New sex determining mechanism in mammal. Nature (Lond.) 206, 1176 (1965).
- Chromosome studies in six species of Mustelidae and one of Procyonidae. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 145 (1966).
—: Comparative chromosome studies of the family Mustelidae (Carnivora-Mammalia). Hereditas (Lund) 57, 295 (1967).
- Chromosome studies in six different tissues of a male Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus) and comments on the nomenclature of the species. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 19 (1967).
—: Chromosome studies in six different tissues of a male small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus). Hereditas (Lund) 57, 421–431 (1967).
Gerneke, W. H.: Cytogenetic investigations on normal and malformed animals with special reference to intersexes. Onderstepoort J. Vet. Res. 34, 219–300 (1967).
Gropp, A., M. Geisler, and P. Leyhausen: Karyotype of the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 9, 20–21 (1968).
Gustavsson, I.: The chromosomes of the dog. Hereditas (Lund) 51, 187–189 (1964).
—: Karyotype of the fox. Nature (Lond.) 201, 950–951 (1964).
—, and C. O. Sundt: Chromosome complex of the family Canidae. Hereditas (Lund) 54, 249–254 (1965).
—: Chromosome elimination in the evolution of the silver fox. J. Hered. 58, 75–78 (1967).
Gutherz, S.: Das Heterochromosomenproblem bei den Vertebraten. I. Untersuchung der frühen Oogenese bei der Hauskatze. Arch. mikr. Anat. 94, 338–364 (1920).
Hard, W. L.: The karyotype of a male cheetah, Acinonyx jabatus jabatus. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 9, 16 (1968).
Hare, W. C. D., W. T. Weber, R. A. McFeely, and T.-J. Yang: Cytogenetics in the dog and cat. J. small Anim. Pract. 7, 575–592 (1966).
Hsu, T. C.: Chromosomes of black panther and jaguar. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 3, 4 (1960).
-Idiograms of four wild cats. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 7,5 (1962).
- Two species of cats with 36 chromosomes. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 4 (1962).
- Personal communication 1967.
-, and F. E. Arrighi: Karyotypes of 13 carnivores. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 155–159 (1966).
—: An atlas of mammalian chromosomes, vol. 1. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1967.
—: An atlas of mammalian chromosomes, vol. 2. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1968.
—, and H. Rearden: Further karyological studies on Felidae. Chromosoma (Berl.) 16, 365–371 (1965).
—, and G. F. Luquette: Karyological studies of nine species of Felidae. Amer. Naturalist 97, 225–234 (1963).
Humphrey, D. G., and N. Spencer: Chromosome number in the mink. J. Hered. 50, 245–247 (1959).
Hungerford, D. A., and R. L. Snyder: Karyotypes of two more mammals. Amer. Naturalist 98, 125–127 (1964).
- - Chromosomes of a European wolf (Canis lupus) and of a bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 20, 72 (1966).
Hungerford, D. L., and G. L. Snyder: The somatic chromosomes of a Syrian bear, Ursus arctos syriacus. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 150 (1966).
Ishihara, T.: Cytological studies of tortoiseshell male cats. Cytologia (Tokyo) 21, 391–398 (1956).
Jones, T. C.: San Juan Conference on karyotype of Felidae, Special Report. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 15, 121–122 (1965)
Koller, P. C.: Chromosome behaviour in the male ferret and mole during anoestrus. Proc. roy. Soc. B 121, 192–206 (1936).
— The genetical and mechanical properties of the sex chromosomes. VIII. The cat (Felis domestica). Proc. roy. Soc. Edinb. B 61, 78–94 (1941).
Lande, O.: The chromosomes of the mink. Hereditas (Lund) 43, 578–582 (1957).
—: Chromosome number in the ferret (Putorius furo). Nature (Lond.) 180, 1213 (1957).
—: Chromosome number in the silver fox (Vulpes fulvus Desm.). Nature (Lond.) 181, 1353–1354 (1958).
—: Chromosome number in the blue fox (Alopex lagopus L.). Nature (Lond.) 188, 170 (1960).
Leyhausen, P.: The karyotypes of two cat species. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 287 (1967).
Low, R. J., K. Benirschke, J. L. Grimmer, and T. G. Schneider: The chromosomes of three bears. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 13, 3 (1964).
Makino, S.: Notes on the chromosomes of four species of small mammals. (Chromosome studies in domestic mammals, V.) J. Fac. Sci., Hokkaido Univ., Ser. IV, 9, 345–357 (1947).
—: A review on the chromosomes of domestic mammals. Jap. J. Zootech. Sci. 19, 5–15 (1949).
—: An atlas of the chromosome numbers in animals. Ames (Iowa): Iowa State College Press 1951.
- The first meiotic chromosomes of the male orange-tinted tree givet (Helictis subaurantiaca Swinhoe). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 147 (1966).
-, and J. Muramota: The chromosomes of the Japanese mink (Mustela itatsi itatsi). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 148 (1966).
—, and S. Tateishi: A comparison of the chromosomes in the lion, Chinese leopard cat and house cat. J. Morph. 90, 93–102 (1952).
Malone, T. M.: Spermatogenesis of the dog. Trans. Amer. micr. Soc. 37, 97–110 (1918).
Malouf, N., K. Benirschke, and D. Hoefnagel: XX/XY Chimerism in a tricolored male cat. Cytogenetics 6, 228–241 (1967).
-, and T. G. Schneider: Karyotype of Felis aurata. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 15, 107 (1965).
Manna, G. K., and M. Talukdar: Somatic chromosome number in twenty species of mammals from India. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 17, 77 (1965).
Matano, Y.: A study of the chromosomes in the cat. Jap. J. Genet. 38, 147–156 (1963).
Matthey, R.: La formule chromosomiale du chat domestique. C. R. Soc. Biol. (Paris) 117, 435–436 (1934).
—: Le problème des hétérochromosomes chez les mammifères. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 47, 319–383 (1936).
Matthey, R.: Chromosomes et systématiques des canides. Mammalia (Paris) 18, 225–230 (1954).
- The chromosome complement of Genetta genetta L. (Carnivora-Viverridae). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 17, 74 (1965).
Meylan, A.: Les chromosomes de Mustela erminea cicognanii Bonaparte. (Mamm.-Carnivores). Canad. J. Genet. Cytol. 9, 569–574 (1967).
Minouchi, O.: The spermatogenesis of the dog, with special reference to meiosis. Jap. J. Zool. 1, 255–268 (1928).
—: On the chromosomes of the cat. Proc. Imp. Acad. Jap. 1, 128–130 (1928).
—: On the spermatogenesis of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes viverrinus), with special reference to the sex chromosomes. Cytologia (Tokyo) 1, 88–108 (1929).
—, and T. Ohta: On the chromosome number and sex-chromosomes in the germ cells of male and female cats. Cytologia (Tokyo) 5, 355–362 (1934).
Moore Jr., W., and R. L. Elder: Chromosomes of the fox. J. Hered. 56, 142–143 (1965).
—, and L. J. Gillepsie: Chromosomes of the raccoon. J. Hered. 58, 172 (1967).
—, and P. D. Lambert: The chromosomes of the beagle dog. J. Hered. 54, 273–276 (1963).
Muldal, S.: A list of vertebrates observed at Bayfordbury, 1949/50. John Innes Hort. Inst. 41. Ann. Rep. 39–41 (1950).
Nafstad, P.: Kromosomene hos katt. 9 Nordiske Veterinaermøde (9th Nordic Veterinary Congress), Section A, No 1. Copenhagen, July 1962.
Nes, N.: Diploid-triploid chimerism in a true hermaphrodite mink (Mustela vison). Hereditas (Lund) 56, 159–170 (1966).
Newnham, R. E., and W. M. Davidson: Comparative study of the karyotypes of several species in Carnivora including the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Cytogenetics 5, 152–163 (1966).
—: Authors addendum to: Comparative study of the karyotypes of several species in Carnivora, including the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Cytogenetics 6, 156–157 (1967).
Ohno, S., C. Stenius, C. P. Weiler, J. M. Trujillo, W. D. Kaplan, and R. Kinosita: Early meiosis of male germ cells in fetal testis of Felis domestica. Exp. Cell Res. 27, 401–404 (1962).
Omodeo, P., and A. Renzoni: The karyotype of some Mustelidae. Caryologia (Firenze) 19, 219–226 (1966).
Painter, T. S.: A comparative study of the chromosomes of mammals. Amer. Naturalist 59, 385–409 (1925).
Panzetta, P., and I. Alaimo: Karyotype of the coati (Nasua nasua solitaria Schinz). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 97 (1967).
Ranjini, P. V.: The chromosomes of the Indian jackal (Canis aureus). Mammal. Chromosomes Newletter No 19, 5 (1966).
- Chromosomes of Vulpes bengalensis (Shaw). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 22, 216 (1966).
Rath, O. vom: über die Konstanz der Chromosomenzahl bei Tieren. Biol. Zbl. 14, (1894).
Ray-Chaudhuri, S. P., P. V. Ranjini, and T. Sharma: Somatic chromosomes of the common palm civet, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus. Experientia (Basel) 22, 740–743 (1966).
Reiter, M. B., V. H. Gilmore, and T. C. Jones: Karyotype of the dog (Canis familiaris. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 12, 170 (1963).
Richart, R.: Personal communication 1967.
Sasaki, M. S.: The idiogram of the domestic cat. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 7, 4 (1962).
Shackelford, R. M., and L. Wipf: Chromosomes of the mink. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 33, 44–46 (1947).
Shioda, G., and M. S. Sasaki: An in vitro study of the somatic chromosomes of the mink (Mustela vison). Zool. Mag. 71, 98–101 (1962).
Smith, H. A., and T. C. Jones: Veterinary pathology, 3rd edit., p. 306–307. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger 1966.
Sofuni, T., and M. S. Sasaki: Chromosomes of Mustela erminea. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 10, 87 (1963).
Srivastava, M. D. L., and V. Bhatnagar: The somatic chromosomes of the common Indian fox (Vulpes bengalensis). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 284 (1967).
Takayama, S., and S. Makino: Cytological studies of tumors. XXXV. A study of chromosomes in venereal tumors of the dog. Z. Krebsforsch. 64, 253–261 (1961).
Talukdar, M., and G. K. Manna: Karyotypes of five carnivoran species from India. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 151–153 (1966).
Tateishi, S.: The house cat and the Chinese leopard cat. (In Japanese.) “Kagaku no Taiwan” 9, 1–7 (1941).
Todd, N. B.: The karyotypes and diploid numbers of the African civet (Civettictus civetta) and the African palm civet (Nandinia binotata) with remarks on satellite chromosomes and taxonomy of the Feloidea. Carnivore Genetics Newsletter 3, 49–51 (1967).
-, and S. R. Pressman: The karyotype of the lesser Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus Geoffroy), the meerkat (Suricata suricatta Desmarest) and comments on the taxonomy and karyology of the Viverridae. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 154 (1966).
- - The karyotype of the marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus) and remarks on the phylogeny of the mongooses (Herpestidae). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 21 (1967).
—, R. N. York, and L. A. Cooper: The karyotype of the bushy-tailed meerkat (Cynictus sp.). Carnivore Genetics Newsletter 2, 31 (1967).
- -, and S. R. Pressman: The karyotypes of the raccoon (Procyon lotor L.), coatimundi (Nasua narica L.) and kinkajou (Potos flavus Schreber). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 21, 153 (1966).
Valenti, C., and L. Levy: The karyotype of Canis dingo. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 18, 147 (1965).
Vara, P., u. S. Pesonen: Über Abortiveier. II. Untersuchungen über die im Chromosomensatz der Säugetiereizelle während der Reifeteilungen sich abspielenden abnormen Erscheinungen. Acta obstet. gynec. scand. 27, 215–248 (1947).
Walknowska, J.: Les chromosomes chez les Carnivores. I. Le Raton laveur (Procyon lotor L.). Folia biol. (Warsaw) 9, 303–307 (1961).
Winiwarter, H. de: La formule chromosomiale chez les diverses races de chat. Bull. Acad. roy. Belg. 20, 512–518 (1934).
—: Nouvelles recherches sur la formule chromosomiale du chat (Felis domest.). Arch. Biol. (Liège) 49, 111–142 (1938).
Wipf, L.: Chromosomes of the red fox. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 28, 265–268 (1942).
—, and R. M. Shackleford: Chromosomes of a fox hybrid (Alopex-Vulpes) Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 35, 468–472 (1949).
Wodsedalek, J. E.: Spermatogenesis of the red fox, Vulpes fulvus. Anat. Rec., Suppl. 51, 70 (1931) (Abstr.).
Wurster, D. H., and K. Benirschke: Chromosome numbers in thirty species of carnivores. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 195 (1967).
- - The chromosomes of three species of cats (Felis nigripes, F. bengalensis. F. viverrina). Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 9, 20 (1968).
- -, and C. Gray: The chromosomes of the aardwolf (Proteles cristatus), Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 9, 4–5 (1968).
-, and C. Gray: The chromosomes of the spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 197 (1967).
References
Aula, P., and L. Kääriäinen: The karyotype of the elk (Alces alces). Hereditas (Lund) 51, 274–278 (1964).
Benirschke, K.: Sterility and fertility of interspecific mammalian hybrids. In: Comparative aspects of reproductive failure (K. Benirschke, ed.). Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer 1967.
Carr, D. H., and J. E. Walker: Carbol fuchsin as a stain for human chromosomes. Stain Technol. 36, 233–236 (1961).
Davis, D. D.: The giant panda. A morphological study of evolutionary mechanisms. Fieldiana, Zool. Mem. 3. 1964.
Gray, A. P.: Mammalian hybrids. A check-list with bibliography. Techn. Communication No 10, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, Farnham Royal, Bucks, England, 1954.
- Mammalian hybrids. Suppl. Bibliogr. to Techn. Communication No 10, Commonwealth Bureau of Animal Breeding and Genetics 1966.
Gregory, W. K., and M. Hellman: On the evolution and major classification of the civets (Viverridae) and allied fossil and recent Carnivora: a phylogenetic study of the skull and dentition. Proc. Amer. phil. Soc. 81, 309–392 (1939).
Gustavsson, I.: Chromosome studies in five species of deer representing the four genera Alces, Capreolus, Cervus, and Dama. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 18, 149 (1965).
Hall, R. E., and K. R. Kelson: The mammals of North America. New York: Ronald Press Co. 1959.
Heck, H., D. Wurster, and K. Benirschke: Chromosome studies of members of the subfamilies Caprinae and Bovinae: the Musk ox, Ibex, Aoudad, Congo buffalo, and Gaur. Z. Säugetierk (in press).
Howard, W. E.: Interactions of behaviour, ecology, and genetics of introduced mammals. In: The genetics of colonizing species (H. G. Baker and G. L. Stebbins, eds.). New York: Academic Press 1965.
Leone, C. A., and A. L. Wiens: Comparative serology of carnivores. J. Mammal. 37, 11–23 (1956).
Matthey, R.: L'évolution de la formule chromosomiale chez les vertébrés. Experientia (Basel) 1, 50–56 (1945).
Mayr, E.: Animal species and evolution. Cambridge (Mass.): Harvard University Press 1963.
McFee, A. F., M. W. Banner, and J. M. Rary: Variation in chromosome number among European wild pigs. Cytogenetics 5, 75–81 (1966).
Morris, D.: The mammals. A guide to the living species. New York and Evanston: Harper & Row 1965.
Muramoto, J., S. Makino, T. Ishikawa, and H. Kanagawa: On the chromosomes of the wild boar and the boar-pig hybrids. Proc. Jap. Acad. Sci. 41, 236–239 (1965).
Nadler, C. F., and K. E. Harris: Chromosomes of the North American prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus. Experientia (Basel) 23 (1), 41–42 (1967).
Ohno, S., W. Beçak, and M. L. Beçak: X-autosome ratio and the behavior pattern of individual X-chromosomes in placental mammals. Chromosoma (Berl.) 15, 14–30 (1964).
Pauly, L. K., and H. R. Wolfe: Serological relationships among members of the order Carnivora. Zoologica 42, 159–166 (1957).
Robertson, W. R. B.: Chromosome studies. I. Taxonomic relationships shown in the chromosomes of Tettigidae and Acrididae: V-shaped chromosomes and their significance in Acrididae, Locustidae, and the Gryllidae: chromosomes and variation. J. Morph. 27, 179–331 (1916).
Romer, A. S.: Vertebrate paleontology, 3rd ed. Chicago and London: University Chicago Press 1966.
Thenius, E., u. H. Hofer: Stammesgeschichte der Säugetiere. Eine Übersicht über Tatsachen und Probleme der Evolution der Säugetiere, S. 1–322. Berlin-Göttingen-Heidelberg: Springer 1960.
Todd, N.: A theory of karyotypic fissioning, genetic potentiation and eutherian evolution. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8, 268–279 (1967).
Ulbrich, F., and H. Fischer: The chromosomes of the Asiatic buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and the African buffalo (Cyncerus caffer). Z. Tierzüchtg 83, 219–223 (1967).
Walker, E. P.: Mammals of the world. Baltimore. Johns Hopkins Press 1964.
Wipf, L., and R. M. Shackelford: Chromosomes of a fox hybrid (Alopex-Vulpes). Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 35, 468–472 (1949).
Wurster, D. H., and K. Benirschke: Chromosome studies in some deer, the springbok, and the pronghorn with notes on placentation in deer. Cytologia (Tokyo) 32, 255–266 (1967a).
- - The chromosomes of twenty-three species of the Cervoidea and Bovoidea. Mammal. Chromosomes Newsletter No 8,226-229 (1967b).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wurster, D.H., Benirschke, K. Comparative cytogenetic studies in the order carnivora . Chromosoma 24, 336–382 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336201
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00336201