Cytogenetic analysis of cryptic species in allopatric population (2n = 60, NF = 82) of Nannospalax sp. (Spalacidae, Rodentia): conventional karyotype, constitutive heterochromatin, and NOR localization

In the present study, the 2n = 60, NF = 82 chromosomal form of blind mole rats, Nannospalax sp. , from Arapgir-Malatya Province in Turkey was investigated. Conventional chromosome staining, NOR (Nucleolus Organizer Region), and C-banding analysis were carried out on specimens of this population. The karyotype including 10 submetacentric pairs and 19 acrocentric pairs of autosomes and fundamental number is (NFa) 78. In all of the specimens studied the NOR’s were localized in the telomeric regions of the short arms of the 2 autosome pairs (nos. 2 and 7), and only one homologue of the pairs nos. 4 and 10 autosomes has a positive silver signal. C-heterochromatin regions were found in the centromeric region of whole bi-armed autosomal pairs. One of the X chromosomes has a pericentromeric C-positive band, whereas the other has a dot-like C-positive band.