Cytogenetic analysis of great horned owls (Bubo virginianus)

Abstract

A chromosome analysis of seven great horned owls (Bubo virginianus, Gmelin) has been performed on peripheral lymphocytes. The modal chromosome number was found to be 2n = 82. Measurements of relative lengths and arm ratios of the macrochromosomes were made. All chromosomes contain a region of constitutive heterochromatin in a centromeric location, with the W chromosome being composed almost entirely of this material. Chromosome replication, as demonstrated by the BudR-acridine orange method, showed synchronous replication of the two Z chromosomes of the male and late replication of the W chromosome of the female. In this species, functional regions of nucleolar organization appear to be localized to the microchromosomes.