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Record Chromosome Number in a Mammal?

Nature New Biology volume 236, pages 205–206 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

CROSS has reported1, 2 chromosome complements in rodents ranging up to 2n=84 (in the North American geomyid Geomys breviceps) and 2n=86 (in the heteromyid Dipodomys merriami). Matthey has contested3 this claim; he maintained that in Geomys bursarius 2n =70 or 72 and he doubted whether a higher number had been confirmed. Numbers in the 2n=70 to 80 range have since been reported4 in several genera of Canidae and Ursidae. In general, rodent chromosomes fall into the lower group numbers but, among murines, Lophuromys aquillus is reported to have a chromosome complement of 70 (ref. 5) and Cricetomys gambianus one of 78 (ref, 6). In the gerbilline, Meriones shawii, the number can vary up to 78 (ref. 7).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, OX1 6OA

    WILMA GEORGE

  2. Wellcome Institute of Comparative Physiology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London, NW1 ARY

    BARBARA J. WEIR

Authors
  1. WILMA GEORGE
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  2. BARBARA J. WEIR
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GEORGE, W., WEIR, B. Record Chromosome Number in a Mammal?. Nature New Biology 236, 205–206 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio236205a0

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