IVth International Conference on Dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae)

KARYOTAXONOMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF FOREST DORMOUSE (DRYOMYS NITEDULA PALL.,1779) IN BULGARIA

Markov G.* , Tzocheva, K.** & Dobryanov, D.**

*Institute of Zoology, 1 Tzar Osvoboditel, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, e-mail: geomar@bgcict.acad.bg

** Institute of Animals, 2230 Kostinbrod, Bulgaria

The karyotaxonomic characterization of Forest dormouse (Dryomys nitedula Pall.,1779) living in Strandga mountain in Bulgaria was done. The investigated individuals, according to their somatometric parameters are typical representatives of the Bulgarian population of D. nitedula. The diploid number of chromosomes is 48 (2n=48). The number of chromosomal arms is FNa=92. The X-chromosome is metacentric. The Y-chromosome is the smallest in the karyotype and it is difficult to be identified in morphology The morphometric characterization of the karyotype of D. nitedula, showed that the chromosomes according to the morphology and measurements could be conventionally arranged into 4 groups.

The karyotype of D. nitedula from Strandga mountain in Bulgaria is similar to the karyotype of other populations, living in European continent.

The metric characterization drawn from present study could be used for the taxonomic

conclusions and description of the karyotype of D. nitedula.

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