Abstract
Nuclear DNA amounts of twenty-three species of birds from seventeen families of seven orders were determined by Feulgen cytophotometry. Genome size is constant in these birds, the ratio between the largest and smallest genome in the sample is 1.3 to 1. The modal diploid DNA amount for birds is about 3.6 picograms, slightly higher than previously reported. The data point towards an evolutionary control of genome size regardless of chromosome number. Birds represent an example of a group in which reduction of genome size is correlated with active speciation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arrighi, F. E., Hsu, T. C.: Localization of heterochromatin in human chromosomes. Cytogenetics 10, 81–86 (1971).
Atkin, N. B., Mattison, G., Beçak, W., Ohno, S.: The comparative DNA content of 19 species of placental mammals, reptiles, and birds. Chromosoma (Berl.) 71, 1–10 (1965).
Bachmann, K.: Specific nuclear DNA amounts in toads of the genus Bufo. Chromosoma (Berl.) 29, 365–374 (1970).
Bachmann, K.: Genome size in mammals. Chromosoma (Berl.) 37, 85–93 (1972).
Bachmann, K., Goin, O. B., Goin, C. J.: Hylid frogs: polyploid classes of DNA in liver nuclei. Science 154, 650–651 (1966).
Bachmann, K., Goin, O. B., Goin, C. J.: Nuclear DNA amounts in vertebrates. In: Evolution of genetic systems (H. H. Smith, ed.). New York: Brookhaven National Laboratory, Brookhaven (in press, 1972).
Benirschke, K., Wurster, D. H., Cow, R. J.: The chromosome complement of the aardvark, Orycteropus afer. Chromosoma (Berl.) 31, 68–78 (1970).
Bier, K., Müller, W.: DNS-Messungen bei Insekten und eine Hypothese über retardierte Evolution und besonderen DNS-Reichtum im Tierreich. Biol. Zbl. 88, 425–449 (1969).
Britten, R. J., Davidson, E. H.: Gene regulation for higher cells: a theory. Science 165, 349–357 (1969).
Britten, R. J., Davidson, E. H.: Repetitive and non-repetitive DNA sequences and a speculation on the origin of evolutionary novelty. Quart. Rev. Biol. 46, 111–133 (1971).
Carriere, R.: The growth of liver parenchymal nuclei and its endocrine regulation. Int. Rev. Cytol. 25, 201–277 (1969).
Colbert, E. H.: Evolution of the vertebrates. New York: Johne Wiley & Sons 1955.
Goin, O. B., Goin, C. J.: DNA and the evolution of the vertebrates. Amer. Midld Naturalist 80, 289–298 (1968).
Hinegardner, R.: Evolution of cellular DNA content in teleost fishes. Amer. Naturalist 102, 517–523 (1968).
Mirsky, A. E., Ris, H.: The desoxyribonucleic acid content of animals cells and its evolutionary significance. J. gen. Physiol. 34, 451–462 (1950).
Schultz, G. A.: Base sequence heterogeneity in avian DNA. PhD thesis. University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (1969).
Schultz, G. A., Church, R. B.: DNA base sequence heterogeneity in the order Galliformes. J. exp. Zool. 179, 119–128 (1971).
Shapiro, H. S.: Deoxyribonucleic acid content per cell of various organisms. In: Handbook of biochemistry (H. A. Sober, R. Harte, eds.) Cleveland, Ohio: Chemical Rubber Company 1968.
Stebbins, G. L.: Chromosomal variation and evolution. Science 152, 1463–1469 (1966).
Stefos, K.: Heterochromatin distribution in the chromosome of birds. Amer. Soc. Cell Biol., 11th annual meeting, abstracts, p. 287 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bachmann, K., Harrington, B.A. & Craig, J.P. Genome size in birds. Chromosoma 37, 405–416 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284889
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00284889