Chromosomes and Chromosome Breakage in the Lung Fluke, Paragonimus heterotremus

Abstract

Abstract

The chromosomes of the lung fluke, Paragonimus heterotremus, were studied by air-drying technique. The results showed the chromosome numbers were 2n = 22 and n = 11, which consisted of one pair of large metacentric, four pairs of medium subtelocentric, three small metacentric or submetacentric, and three small submetacentric or subtelocentric, whereas the relative lengths of the chromosomes were 20.5 ± 0.4, 12.6 ± 0.2, 11.2 ± 0.2, 9.3 ± 0.2, 8.9 ± 0.2, 7.8 ± 0.2, 7.4 ± 0.1, 6.0 ± 0.1, 6.0 ± 0.1, 6.0 ± 0.1 and 4.2 ± 0.0%, respectively. The results also revealed chromosome breakage on the small chromosome (No. 8). Keyword: lung fluke; Paragonimus heterotremus; chromosomes; chromosome breakage