Abstract
Chromosomal variation in the plethodontid salamander genus Aneides was analyzed using C-banding, to visualize heterochromatin distribution, as well as silver and fluorochrome banding, to reveal nucleolus organizer regions. Evidence is presented that Aneides has undergone pronounced karyological divergence from a Plethodon-like ancestor. It is concluded that this divergence reflects accelerated rates of chromosomal rearrangements in Aneides relative to Plethodon. These rearrangements have involved mainly pericentric inversions that have occurred in one or more of the three smallest pairs of chromosomes in the karyotype. Karyological variation within and between species of Aneides was used to analyze phylogenetic relationships within the genus. This analysis revealed at least two karyologically distinct species that had not been previously recognized by morphological criteria.
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Sessions, S.K., Kezer, J. Cytogenetic evolution in the plethodontid salamander genus Aneides . Chromosoma 95, 17–30 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00293837
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00293837