DNA CONTENT MEASUREMENTS AND AN IMPROVED IDIOGRAM FOR THE INDIAN MUNTJAC

The Indian muntjac, an asiatic deer, has the lowest diploid chromosome number among mammals (female 2N = 6; male 2N = 7). Using flow cytomet ric quantification of propidium iodide-stained cells, we determined th e DNA content of muntjac cells to be 94% that of human. This suggests that the muntjac may serve as a model for investigation of karyotypic evolution and rearrangement. In order to facilitate future comparative gene mapping studies, computer-aided analysis of digitized metaphase chromosomes allowed development of a detailed Indian muntjac G-banded idiogram incorporating both ISCN-type nomenclature and quantitative es timates of the size of each band and position.