Cytogenetic analysis of the Formosan pangolin, Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla (Mammalia: Pholidota)

Cytogenetic analysis of the Formosan pangolin, Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla (Mammalia: Pholidota) Zoological Studies 46(4): 389-396. We analyzed the karyotypes of the Formosan pangolin, Manis pentadactyla pentadactyla, a subspecies of the Chinese pangolin, Manis pentadactyla. Pangolins belong to the mammalian order Pholidota and are primarily anteaters. Since eutherian Sry is highly conserved, we first conducted gene mapping of pangolin Sry by means of cross-species fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The existence of a homologous Sry gene in the pangolin Y chromosome is demonstrated. We also report karyotyping by G-banding, C-banding, and Ag-NOR staining. The 2N and FN numbers of the Formosan pangolin are 40 and 70, respectively, which agree with the numbers reported for the subspecies Manis pentadactyla aurita from the Asian mainland. However, we found 2 or 4 nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in the Formosan pangolin, whereas the Chinese pangolin has 3 or 4. An ideogram for this species is proposed.