CHROMOSOME PAINTING IN COSCOROBA COSCOROBA (AVES, ANSERIFORMES)

What is it about?

The Coscoroba (Coscoroba coscoroba), is traditionally considered as an early branch from the common ancestor leading to true geese and swans. Recently, an interesting association between the Coscoroba and Cape Barren goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) as sister groups has been proposed. Chromosome data showed that C. coscoroba has the highest diploid number among Anseriformes (2n = 98), and the conservation of macrochromosome pairs 1–10 indicates that the increase in diploid number has occurred by fission events involving only the microchromosomes. Moreover, the similarity between the diploid numbers of C. coscoroba (2n = 98) and Cereopsis novaehollandiae (2n = 92) reinforces the phylogenetic position of these two species as sister groups.

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Why is it important?

Reinforcement of phylogenetic proximity between Coscoroba and Cereopsis.