Karyotypes in lymphocytes of two strains of rabbit, and two species of hare

摘要

G-banding of metaphase chromosomes in cultured lymphocytes was used to compare the karyotypes of two strains of domestic rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus (NZW and Dutch rabbit) and two species of hare (Lepus europaeus and Lepus timidus).The NZW and the Dutch rabbit had identical karyotypes with 44 chromosomes, as did Lepus europaeus and Lepus timidus with 48 chromosomes.However, all individual rabbits and hares showed chromosomal rearrangements (e.g. deletions and duplications) in 30–50% of all lymphocytes studied. The significance of the findings are discussed.