PROMETAPHASE KARYOTYPE AND RESTRICTION-ENZYME BANDING IN SQUIRREL-MONKEYS, SAIMIRI-BOLIVIENSIS-BOLIVIENSIS (PRIMATES, PLATYRRHINI)

Prometaphase and metaphase chromosomes of Saimiri boliviensis bolivien sis were studied using sequential G- and C-banding and using silver st aining of nucleolar organizing regions. The diploid number was 44, inc luding 15 biarmed pairs, six acrocentric pairs, plus the X and Y chrom osomes. Pair A(2), had a long secondary constriction corresponding to the nucleolar organizing region. All the examined individuals had a he teromorphic pair B-11, due to the presence of an interstitial C+ band in one of the chromosomes. Polymorphic, telomeric C+ bands were presen t in pairs B-4, B-7, and B-8. Alu I (from Arthrobacter lutens) and Hae III (from Haemophilus aegytius) restriction-enzyme digests of metapha se and prometaphase chromosomes produced G-like bands. These banding d ata were used to generate an organization of the karyotype that could be representative of the chromosomes of all species of the genus.