Cytological Study of Black Headed Bunting, Emberiza melanocephala

<p>One male and one female individual yielded sixteen well spread metaphase plates. The diploid chromosome count varied from 78 to 86 with most prominent peak at 82 which has been taken as the diploid chromosome number of this species.</p><p>On arranging the chromosomes into morphologically similar pairs, little variation was noticeable within the chromosomes. There was a steady decline in size, so much so, that it was difficult to demarcate the chromosomes into two conventional categories. However, applying the concept given by De Boer (1976), eight pairs of chromosomes contributing ≥ 2.5% of total chromosomal length had been differentiated as macrochromosomes.