The karyotype of the critically endangered Lear's macaw, Anodorhynchus leari Bonaparte 1856 (Aves, Psittaciformes)

Abstract

We used conventional chromosomal staining to describe the karyotype of the critically endangered Lear's macaw, Anodorhynchus leari Bonaparte 1856. A diploid number of 2n = 70 and a karyotype similar to that of its congener Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus suggests that chromosomal rearrangements were not the main evolutionary mechanism in the genus.

Keywords

• birds
• karyotype
• chromosomes
• Psittaciformes
• endangered species