CHROMOSOMES OF BROWN DOG TICK RHIPICEPHALUS SANGUINEUS LATERELLE (ACARINA ; IXODIDAE)
R. SANDHU *
Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002, India
G. K. DOLLA *
Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, Patiala-147 002, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Karyotype, sex determination and meiosis were studied in Rhipicephalus sanguineus Laterelle. Diploid numbers in males and females are 21 and 22 respectively, thus indicating an XO: XX type sex determining mechanism. All the chromosomes are acrocentric and the sex chromosomes are largest in the complement. Polyploid cells have been reported in both sexes of the species while subdiploid and hyperdiploid numbers are of common occurance.
Keywords: Chromosomes in ticks, Meiosis in Rhipicephalus