DETERMINATION OF KARYOTYPE OF LEIOLEPIS REEVESII REEVESII (GRAY,1831) IN THUATHIEN - HUE PROVINCE

Abstract

Leiolepis reevesii reevesii is the butterfly lizard species belonging to the family Agamidae of Reptile. In Vietnam, the family of Agamidae can be found in some sandy areas near the coast. The karyological study was carried out on the series L. reevesii reevesii specimens collected from Thuan An Precincts, Phu Yang District, Thuathien - Hue province to obtain the data that would contribute to the basic knowledge of the Agamidae family in Vietnam. Colour and morphological characters of captured specimens matched the previous description about L. reevesii reevesii. These specimens were also identified sexually by gonadal investigation through abdominal dissection. Mitotic chromosomes were prepared by lymphocyte culturing and stained by the modified G banding technique. The karyotype was determined for each specimen on the basis of photographs of over 30 metaphase cells which contain chromosomes enlarged. The chromosomes on those photographs were counted. A total of 36 diploid chromosomes were found, comprising 12 macrochromosomes and 24 microchromosomes. The outcome shows their macrocbromosomes of pair number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are metacentric. The formula for karyotype of L. reevesii reevesii is 12M + 24 m.