The karyotype and taxonomie status of Cryptomys hottentotus darlingi (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)

Abstract

Cytogenetic analyses were performed on twenty specimens referable to Cryptomys hottentotus darling! from north eastern Zimbabwe. In comparison to the southern subspecies C. h. hottentotus (aFN = 102) and C. h. natalensis (aFN = 100), C. h. darHngi showed the same diploid number (2n = 54), but a striking reduction in the fundamental number (aFN = 80). C-banding analysis suggests that chromosome differentiation arose most probably by pericentric inversions. The magnitude of the karyotypic differences is assumed to represent reproductive isolation and consequently the specific status for the dartingicytotype is recommended.