A Study of the Chromosomes of Some Lizards, with Special Remarks on the m-chromosomes

Abstract

A study of 3 spp. of the Lacertidae showed the chromosome number of Takydromus tachydromoides and T. smaragdinus as 2N = 38, each sp. having a pair of m-chromosomes of minute size; and of Lacerta vivipara as 2N = 36 with no m-chromosomes. A single specimen of T. smaragdinus possessed exceptionally large m-chromosomes, whereas they were of medium size in other specimens and extremely small in T. tachydromoides. Evidence of diminution in the size of the m-chromosomes by species and the assumption of their final disappearance may explain the numerical relation of the chromosomes found in Takydromus and L. vivipara.