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Chromosome painting refines the history of genome evolution in hares and rabbits (order Lagomorpha)

2002; Karger Publishers; Volume: 96; Issue: 1-4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1159/000063034

1424-8581

Terence J. Robinson, Fengtang Yang, Wilbur R. Harrison,

Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to define homologous segments among representatives of 7 of the 11 recognized leporid genera. Chromosome painting using 22 rabbit chromosome-specific paints derived from flow-sorted chromosomes revealed that at least 18 fusions and six fissions differentiate the extant karyotypes from the presumed ancestral state (2n = 48). The riverine rabbit, <i>Bunolagus monticularis,</i> has the most derived karyotype, differing from the ancestor by seven fusions and five fissions, followed by <i>Pronolagus rupestris,</i> with four fusions and one fission. These findings are consistent with the proposed Palaeolaginae/Leporinae dichotomy in the lagomorphs. The molecular cytogenetic data allow for a refinement of the structural changes that have shaped genome evolution in this group of mammals and underscore the rapid radiation of the Leporidae suggested by mitochondrial DNA sequence data.