Chromosomes du Lynx roux, Lynx rufus

Abstract

The chromosomes of the bobcat (Lynx rufus Schreber) were studied in five males and one female. Karyotypes were obtained both from fibroblast and lymphocyte cultures. The karyotype (2n = 38) includes three morphological types: metacentrics (5 pairs), submetacentrics (11 pairs), and acrocentrics (2 pairs). The gonosomic formula is of the XY-type and both sex chromosomes are submetacentric. The X can be safely identified with G-bands, but not with standard staining techniques. The Y is the smallest chromosome within the complement. In general, the karyotype of the bobcat is similar to karyotypes of other Felidae described in the literature.