Karyological evidence for diversification of Italian slow worm populations (Squamata, Anguidae)

• Main Authors: Marcello Mezzasalma, Fabio Maria Guarino, Gennaro Aprea, Agnese Petraccioli, Angelica Crottini, Gaetano Odierna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2013-09-01
• Series: Comparative Cytogenetics
• Online Access: http://compcytogen.pensoft.net/lib/ajax_srv/article_elements_srv.php?action=download_pdf&item_id=1796

A karyological analysis on six Italian populations the slow worm (Anguis veronensis Pollini, 1818) was performed and their genetic differentiation at the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fragment from a Spanish sample has been assessed. The Italian populations were karyologically uniform, all showing 2n= 44 elements, of which 20 were macrochromosomes and 24 microchromosomes. Comparison with literature data on Central European populations showed a difference on the morphology of the 10th chromosome pair: submetacentric in Italian populations and telocentric in the Central European ones. Our analysis showed the presence of a fragile site on chromosomes of this pair, suggesting its propensity for structural rearrangements. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment showed uniformity among Italian populations (uncorrected genetic distance of 0.4%), and their genetic distinctness from the Spanish individual (uncorrected genetic distance of 4.2%). Our results confirm the existence of two different Anguis fragilis Linnaeus, 1758 lineages, each one characterized by a different cytotype.