Chromosomal evolution in Malagasy lemurs

Abstract

The karyotypes of five Malagasy lemurs are described and compared after the successive use of various banding methods. Phylogenic relationships appear to exist between the respective ancestors of Lemur catta, Hapalemur simus, H. griseus occidentalis, H. griseus ssp, and H. griseus griseus. Their karyotypes can be derived from that of L. fulvus fulvus by chromosomal rearrangements affecting mainly chromosomes 1 and X. Intense staining of juxtacentromeric heterochromatin was detected among the different subspecies of H. griseus.