The evolution of a highly variable sex chromosome in Gehyra purpurascens (Gekkonidae)

A karyotypic survey of the gekkonid lizard Gehyra purpurascens revealed a distinctive sex chromosome system. G-banding showed that the Z Chromosome of males is derived from a tandem fusion of two acrocentric chromosomes of a presumed ancestral Gehyra with 2n=44. Through the application of G-; N- and C-banding, a total of six morphs of the W chromosome were identified. These differ by paracentric and pericentric inversions and, in one case, by a centric shift. The possible reasons for such extensive variation in the W chromosome are considered, and it is suggested that increased mutability of the W chromosome may be a causal factor. In contrast to earlier speculations, this example demonstrates that sex chromosomes can evolve without significant changes in the amount of C-band heterochromatin.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47361/1/412_2004_Article_BF00292447.pd