Karyotype and Unisexuality of Leiolepis boehmei Darevsky and Kupriyanova, 1993 (Sauria: Agamidae) from Southern Thailand

Abstract

A karyological study was carried out for a series of specimens of Leiolepis boehmei collected from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla Provinces in southern Thailand. Mitotic chromosomes were prepared by lymphocyte culturing. A total of 34 diploid chromosomes were found, comprising 12 macrochromosomes and 22 microchromosomes. Secondary constrictions were recognizable on the long arms of the largest metacentric chromosomes. No males were included in the sample consisting of no less than 65 individuals examined. This further confirms the unisexuality of this species assumed by the previous authors. The haploid chromosome arrangement in the karyotype of L. boehmei slightly but consistently differs from those of other congeneric species so far karyotyped (including L. triploida, a triploid parthenogenetic species) in having fewer microchromosomes (11 vs. 12). This negates the previous assumption of its being one of the parental species of L. triploida.