Skip to main content
Log in

Karyotypes of two Australian hylids

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Karyotypes of the Australian frogs Hyla caerulea (White) and Hyla phyllochroa Günther were prepared and analysed from colchicine-treated, primary cultures of adult heart, lung and kidney. The diploid chromosome number for both species is 26, which resembles that of most known karyotypes of Papuan hylids but differs from that of the genus Hyla in other regions. A statistical comparison, involving data from arm ratios, centromere indices and relative lengths of metaphase chromosomes of H. caerulea incubated at 31 and 37° C respectively, showed that the differences were non-significant at the 5% level. Similar treatment of data from cells of Hyla caerulea and Hyla phyllochroa incubated at 31°C failed to show a significant species difference. Absolute lengths of haploid chromosome complements of the two species at the same temperature were found to differ significantly. No evidence of sexual heteromorphism was found. The occurrence of a terminally situated, heterochromatic zone associated with the longer arm of the 11th pair of chromosomes is described and compared with the known condition in other hylids.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beçak, M. L.: Chromosomal analysis of eighteen species of Anura. Caryologia (Firenze) 21, 191–208 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bushnell, R. J., Bushnell, E. P., Parker, M. V.: A chromosome study of five members of the Family Hylidae. J. Ten. Acad. Sci. 14, 209–215 (1939).

    Google Scholar 

  • Duellman, W. E.: Additional studies of chromosomes of anuran amphibians. Syst. Zool. 16, 38–43 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Cole, C. J.: Studies of chromosomes of some anuran amphibians (Hylidae and Centrolenidae). Syst. Zool. 14, 139–143 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Iriki, S.: Studies on amphibian chromosomes. 1. On the chromosomes of Hyla arborea japonica Guenther. Mem. Col. Sci. Kyoto Univ., Ser. B, 5, 1–17 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Levan, A., Fredga, K., Sandberg, A. A.: Nomenclature for centromeric position on chromosomes. Hereditas (Lund) 52, 201–220 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Maxson, L. R., Jameson, D. L.: A comparison of the chromosomes of Hyla regilla and Hyla californiae. Copeia (Wash.) 1968, 704–707.

  • Morescalchi, A.: Il corredo cromosomico di Hyla arborea arborea (L.) e di Hyla regilla Baird and Girard: Il problema del cromosomi sessuali e 1'evoluzione del cariotipo di Hyla. Caryologia (Firenze) 18, 193–206 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Saez, R. A., Brum, N.: Chromosomes of South American amphibians. Nature (Lond.) 185, 945 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Seto, T.: The karyotype of Hyla arborea japonica with some remarks on the heteromorphism of the sex chromosome. J. Fac. Sci. Hokkaido Univ. Ser. VI, Zool. 15, 366–373 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, E. M.: Temperature tolerance of cultured amphibian cells in relation to latitudinal distribution of donors. Aust. J. biol. Sci. 21, 741–757 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, N. G., Tomkins, J. K. N.: Transplantation of embryonic cartilage and bone to the chorioallantois of the chick. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 12, 825–839 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, M. J.: Papuan hylid frogs of the genus Hyla. Zool. Verh., Leiden 96, 1–203 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ullerich, F.-H.: Karyotyp and DNS-Gehalt von Bufo bufo, B. viridis, B. bufo X B. viridis und B. calamita (Amphibia, Anura). Chromosoma (Berl.) 18, 316–342 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Volpe, E. P., Gebhardt, B. M.: Somatic chromosomes of the marine toad, Bufo marinus (Linné). Copeia (Wash.) 1968, 570–576.

  • Yosida, T. H.: Sex chromosomes of the tree frog Hyla arborea japonica. J. Fac. Sci. Hokkaido Univ., Ser. VI, Zool. 13, 352–358 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stephenson, E.M., Stephenson, N.G. Karyotypes of two Australian hylids. Chromosoma 30, 38–50 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00293908

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00293908

Keywords

Navigation