[Chromosomal localization and evolutionary age of satellite DNAs of Mustelidae].

DNA reassociation kinetics were studied in the European mink (Mustela lutreola), the American mink (M. vison), the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna). Variation in DNA quantity and heterochromatin amount occurs in connection with changes in the size of all kinetic fractions. Moderately repetitive genome component is the most variable in these three species. Cryptic CsCl satellite of the stoat (M. erminea), Ag+/Cs2SO4 satellites of the M. vison, V. peregusna were used for in situ homo- and heterologous hybridizations. Satellite DNAs revealed may be classified for the evolution age and chromosomal location type. More ancient satellite DNAs were dispersed in carnivors or mammalian genomes. Mustelids' specific satellites are concentrated in heterochromatic chromosome regions. The evolutionary implications of these findings are discussed.