The karyotypes of two scincid lizards, and their bearing on relationships in genusLeiolopismaand its relatives (Scincidae: Lygosominae)

Abstract

The karyotypes of the skinks Leiolopisma telfairi (Desjardin) and Cyclodina oliveri (McCann) are presented for the first time, from male spceimens. Metaphase cells from intestinal epithelium (C. oliveri) and testicular material (C. oliveri and L. telfairi) gave the diploid number, 2n = 30, for both species. Heteromorphism of the pair 6 chromosomes was observed in C. oliveri; this is the first published report of male heterogamety in the Scincidae. A common origin is proposed for L. spenceri and L. telfairi, on the basis of chromosome pair 8 morphology. These species may be more closely allied to Cyclodina than previously believed.