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Cytogenetic studies in sloths (Bradypus variegatus)

Beatriz Goldschmidt^I; José Carlos Cabral de Almeida^II

^IDepartamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Veterinaria, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brasil Filho 64, 24230-340 Niterói, RJ, Brasil. Send correspondence to B.G.
^IIUnidade de Citogenética Humana, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, 21910 Ilha do Fundão, RJ, Brasil

ABSTRACT

Chromosome studies of 11 male and four female sloths of the species Bradypus variegatus were perfonned. These animals showed two types of karyotypes: most (13 animals) presented 2n=54 chromosomes and two males had 2n=55 chromosomes, with a supposed additional Y chromosome. The pattern of constitutive heterochromatin in this species showed a great size variation.

Keywords: cytogenetic; sloths, Bradypus variegatus.

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