Resolving ambiguities in the karyotype of domestic sheep (Ovis aries). II. G-, Q-, and R-banded idiograms, and chromosome-specific molecular markers.

ABSTRACT

Internally consistent G-, Q- and R-banded karyotypes and idiograms for sheep chromosomes at the 422-band level of resolution are presented. These were derived by sequential Q- to G-staining, and sequential Q- to R-staining of prometaphase spreads prepared from sheep with normal and Robertsonian chromosomes. The fused chromosomes served as stable morphological markers. To minimise confusion due to chromosomal nomenclature, we have listed chromosome-specific (reference) molecular markers that have been mapped by in situ hybridization to sheep chromosomes. The use of molecular markers in conjunction with the sequential Q- to G- and sequential Q- to R-banded karyotypes and iodiograms provided here will elimiate ambiguities in identifying and numbering sheep chromosomes and will facilitate their comparison with cattle chromosomes.