CYTOGETIC STUDIES OF SOME SPECIES OF BIRDS OF UPPER EGYPT

Abstract

A total of fourteen species of birds representing eight orders of class Aves were morphologically and cytogenetically studied. The results of the chromosomal analysis were compared with those obtained from the classical methods in taxonomy •:using ecological, morphological and anatomical characters alone. The following is a summary of the results.

1 - Order: Columbiformes.

Family : Columbidae.

a - Columba Iivia :

Class: Aves

This species of pigeons is about 33 em. Long, it has uniform grey plumage with green purple highlights on the neck. On each wing there are two black bands crosswise and also a black band at the tip ofthe tail. The rumps are white .and the legs are purplish red. The plumage is similar in adults and young.

The chromosomal analysis of this species, revealed that the diploid chromosome number was 74 + zz; in males, 74 + wz, in females and, FN = 30. The karyotype consists offour groups: three pairs ofmetacentric, two palfS submetacentric, five patrs acrocentric and 27 pairs microchromosome, together with sex chromosomes w and z which are metacentric and acrocentric, respectively.

b - Streptopelia senegalensis :

This species is characterized by a pleasing, soft, reddish-brown colour. with its under parts being white. The lower back, rump and wings are grey. On the front and sides of the neck is a black-checkered collar. The tail is a mixture of black, white and, grey colours.