A Study on the Chromosomes of White-cheeked Gibbon, Nomascus leucogenys (Primate, Hylobatidae) by Conventional Staining Technique

Abstract

Standardized karyotype and idiogram of white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) at Nakhonratchasima Zoo, was study. Blood sample were taken from 1 female and 2 males gibbons. After standard whole blood lymphocyte culture at 37 ^oC for 72 hr. in the presence of colchicine, the metaphase spreads were performed on microscopic slides and air-dried. Conventional staining technique was applied to stain the chromosomes. The results show that diploid chromosome number is 2n = 52, and the fundamental number (NF) is 104 in both female and male. The autosomes consist of 22 large metacentric, 8 large submetacentric, 10 medium metacentric, 4 medium submetacentric and 6 small acrocentric chromosomes. The X-chromosome is the large acrocentric and the Y-chromosome is the smallest submetacentric chromosome. The karyotype formula for the white-cheeked gibbon is as follows:
2n (52) = L^m₂₂ L^sm₈ + M^m₁₀ + M^sm₄ + S^a₆ + sex-chromosomes