Comparative chromosome analysis in three Sorex species

Cytogenetic and molecular aspects. J. B. Searle and J. M. Wójcik, eds]. Acta Theriologica 45, Suppl. 1: 119-130. High-resolution G-band analysis allowed detailed comparison between the karyotypes of Sorex raddei Satunin, 1895 (2n = 36, NF = 68), S. minutus Linnaeus, 1766 (2n = 42, NF = 56) and S. caecutiens Laxmann, 1788 (2n = 42, NF = 68). Extensive homology was revealed. The major chromosome rearrangements involved in the evolutionary divergence of these species were identified as centric and tandem fusions as well as centromeric shifts. A chromosomal phylogeny of the species studied is presented and a presumed ancestral karyotype, containing mainly acrocentric chromosomes, is proposed