A new karyotype for the spiny rat Clyomys laticeps (Thomas, 1909) (Rodentia, Echimyidae) from Central Brazil

Researchers have uncovered a new karyotype for the spiny rat, Clyomys laticeps, a semifossorial rodent endemic to the tropical savannas and grasslands of central Brazil. Analyzing four specimens from Emas National Park in Goiás, Brazil, the study revealed a diploid number (2n) of 32 chromosomes and a fundamental autosome number (FN) of 54. The karyotype features 12 meta/submetacentric pairs and three acrocentric pairs, with the X chromosome being medium submetacentric and the Y chromosome medium acrocentric. Cytogenetic techniques such as conventional staining, CBG, and GTG-banding were employed to characterize these chromosomal structures. The findings suggest that the semifossorial habits and habitat specificity of this genus may contribute to observed karyological variations.

Bezerra, A. M. R., Pagnozzi, J., Carmignotto, A. P., Yonenaga-Yassuda, Y., & Rodrigues, F. (2012). A new karyotype for the spiny rat Clyomys laticeps (Thomas, 1909) (Rodentia, Echimyidae) from Central Brazil. Comparative Cytogenetics, 6(2), 153–161. https://doi.org/10.3897/compcytogen.v6i2.1980