Five families are traditionally recognized within higher ruminants (Pecora): Bovidae, Moschidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae and Antilocapridae. The phylogenetic relationships of Antilocapridae and Giraffidae within Pecora are, however, uncertain. While numerous fusions (mostly Robertsonian) have accumulated in the giraffe's karyotype (Giraffa camelopardalis, Giraffidae, 2n = 30), that of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana, Antilocapridae, 2n = 58) is very similar to the hypothesised pecoran ancestral state (2n = 58). We examined the chromosomal rearrangements of two species, the giraffe and pronghorn, using a combination of fluorescence in situ hybridization painting probes and BAC clones derived from cattle (Bos taurus, Bovidae). Our data place Moschus (Moschidae) closer to Bovidae than Cervidae. Although the alternative (i.e., Moschidae + Cervidae as sister groups) could not be discounted in recent sequence-based analyses, cytogenetics bolsters conclusions that the former is more likely. Additionally, DNA sequences were isolated from the centromeric regions of both species and compared. Analysis of cenDNA show that unlike the pronghorn, the centromeres of the giraffe are probably organized in a more complex fashion comprising different repetitive sequences specific to single chromosomal pairs or groups of chromosomes. The distribution of nucleolar organiser region (NOR) sites, often an effective phylogenetic marker, were also examined in the two species. In the giraffe, the position of NORs seems to be autapomorphic since similar localizations have not been found in other species within Pecora.

• MeSH
• Centromere genetics   MeSH
• X Chromosome MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence MeSH
• Karyotype MeSH
• Chromosome Painting MeSH
• Nucleolus Organizer Region MeSH
• Ruminants classification   genetics   MeSH
• Chromosome Banding MeSH
• Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid MeSH
• Chromosomes, Mammalian MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Translocation, Genetic MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

A taxonomic division of the family Bovidae (Artiodactyla) is difficult and the evolutionary relationships among most bovid subfamilies remain uncertain. In this study, we isolated the cattle satellite I clone BTREP15 (1.715 satellite DNA family) and autosomal centromeric DNAs of members of ten bovid tribes. We wished to determine whether the analysis of fluorescence in situ hybridization patterns of the cattle satellite I clone (BTREP15) and tribe-specific centromeric repeats isolated by laser microdissection would help to reveal some of the ambiguities occurring in the systematic classification of the family Bovidae. The FISH study of the presence and distribution of the cattle satellite I clone BTREP15 (1.715 satellite DNA family) within members of ten bovid tribes was not informative. FISH analysis of autosomal centromeric DNA probes in several species within one tribe revealed similar hybridization patterns in autosomes confirming tribal homogeneity of these probes. Sex chromosomes showed considerable variation in sequence composition and arrangement not only between tribes but also between species of one tribe. According to our findings it seems that Oreotragus oreotragus developed its own specific satellite DNA which does not hybridize to any other bovid species analysed. Our results suggest O. oreotragus as well as Aepyceros melampus may be unique species not particularly closely related to any of the recognized bovid tribes. This study indicates the isolation of tribe-specific centromeric DNAs by laser microdissection and cloning the sequence representing the main motif of these repetitive DNAs could offer the perspectives for comparative phylogenetic studies.

• MeSH
• Biological Evolution MeSH
• Centromere chemistry   genetics   MeSH
• DNA Probes MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence MeSH
• Laser Capture Microdissection MeSH
• Ruminants classification   genetics   MeSH
• DNA, Satellite genetics   MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Cetartiodactyla comprises Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) and Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Artiodactyla is a large taxon represented by about 200 living species ranked in 10 families. Cetacea are classified into 13 families with almost 80 species. Many publications concerning karyotypic relationships in Cetartiodactyla have been published in previous decades. Formerly, the karyotypes of closely related species were compared by chromosome banding. Introduction of molecular cytogenetic methods facilitated comparative mapping between species with highly rearranged karyotypes and distantly related species. Such information is a prerequisite for the understanding of karyotypic phylogeny and the reconstruction of the karyotypes of common ancestors. This study summarizes the data on chromosome evolution in Cetartiodactyla, mainly derived from molecular cytogenetic studies. Traditionally, phylogenetic relationships of most groups have been estimated using morphological data. However, the results of some molecular studies of mammalian phylogeny are discordant with traditional conceptions of phylogeny. Cetartiodactyls provide several examples of incongruence between traditional morphological and molecular data. Such cases of conflict include the relationships of the major clades of artiodactyls, the relationships among the extant families of the suborder Ruminantia or the phylogeny of the family Bovidae. The most unexpected aspect of the molecular phylogeny was the recognition that Cetacea is a deeply nested member of Artiodactyla. The largest living order of terrestrial hoofed mammals is the even-toed hoofed mammals, or Artiodactyla. The artiodactyls are composed of over 190 living species including pigs, peccaries, hippos, camels, llamas, deer, pronghorns, giraffes, sheep, goats, cattle and antelopes. Cetacea is an order of wholly aquatic mammals, which include whales, dolphins and porpoises. Cetartiodactyla has become the generally accepted name for the clade containing both of these orders.

• MeSH
• Artiodactyla classification   genetics   MeSH
• Cetacea classification   genetics   MeSH
• Cytogenetic Analysis MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Phylogeny MeSH
• Karyotype MeSH
• Chromosome Painting MeSH
• Swine classification   genetics   MeSH
• Ruminants classification   genetics   MeSH
• Chromosomes, Mammalian genetics   MeSH
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Cattle MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH