Chromosome study of stone marten (Martes foina intermedia)

The karyotype of Martes foina intermedia were studied by C-banding and silver staining.The number of diploid chromosome is 38.Autosomes consist of 7 pairs of metacentrics,2 pairs of submetacentrics,9 pairs of subacrocentrics.Chromosome No.18 has a secondary constriction near by centromere on the long arm.X chromosome is a metacentrics and of a size between that of chromosome No.3 and No.4,and the Y,the smallest acrocentric.The centromeric distribution of heterochromatin has been demonstrated in most of chromosomes.In some of chromosome centromericregions are stained slightly C-bands.Moreover,the constitutive heterochromatin of centromere region of chromosome No.1 is apparently disappeared.The whole short arm of chromosome No.9 is found to be a complete heterochromatin one.The secondary constriction region of chromosome No.18 is with heterochromatin.The uncommon distribution of interstitial heterochromatin has observed on the long arm of X chromosome.Y chromosome is completely C-band positive.There is only one pair of Ag-NORs in the silver-stained karyotype,it is located at the secondary constriction of chromosom No.18.These specific distribution of C-bands and relative to karyotype evolution of Martes foina intermedia were discussed.