The Relationships of the Anolis of the Roquet Species Group (Sauria: Iguanidae). II. Comparative Chromosome Cytology

Abstract

Karyotypic data are presented for members of the Lesser Antillean Anolis of the roquet group, and their geographic near neighbors. The roquet group is characterized by six pairs of metacentric macrochromosomes. The near neighbors to the south (A. chrysolepis) and west (A. lineatus) have seven pairs of macrochromosomes. The species to the north, A. oculatus, has a distinctly different karyotype, with no sharp distinction between macrochromosomes and microchromosomes, and shows male chromosomal heteromorphism. Within the roquet group, five forms have 12 pairs of microchromosomes, and three forms have 11 pairs. The latter is considered a specialized condition that only arose once within the group and is indicative of close taxonomic relationship.