Origin and clonal diversity of the parthenogenetic lizard Aspidoscelis rodecki (Squamata: Teiidae): chromosomal evidence

Abstract

We analyzed the karyotypes of individuals of two different populations of Aspidoscelis rodecki to investigate the origin andchromosomal diversity of this unisexual lizard. The karyotype of A. rodecki has a diploid number of 50 chromosomes, and exhibits a marked structural heteromorphism. The unique arrangement seems to have originated by Todd´s fission after the origin of parthenogenesis(hybridization between A. angusticeps and A. deppii). This pattern was observed in two populations of the species, which is endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula.

Keywords

• chromosome fission
• karyotype
• parthenogenesis