Chromosome homology in birds: banding patterns of the chromosomes of the domestic chicken, ring-necked dove, and domestic pigeon

Improved techniques for culturing avian tissue in combination with a trypsinurea chromosome banding technique has allowed an analysis of chromosome homology in three bird species. Three macrochromosomes of the domestic chicken (Galliformes) showed homology with those of the ring-necked dove and the domestic pigeon (Columbiformes). The ring-necked dove and domestic pigeon displayed similar banding patterns, except that the pigeon possessed an additional four pairs of microchromosomes, which are fused to form two pairs of macrochromosomes in the dove. Both G- and C-banded metaphase chromosomes of the three species are presented, and chromosome evolution and phyletic relations are discussed.