Cytogenetic studies of the Australian rodent, Uromys caudimaculatus, a species showing extensive heterochromatin variation.

The Australian rodent, Uromys caudimaculatus, consists of two chromosome races. a) The Southern Race is characterized by the possession of two to twelve B-chromosomes. These vary considerably in size, morphology, and C- and G-banding characteristics, they behave as univalent at meiosis and are inherited in a random manner. b) The Northern Race lacks B-chromosomes, but possesses large blocks of distal C-positive heterochromatin on between 18 and 28 of the 46 chromosomes. The C-blocks may be entirely G-positive entirely G-negative, or G-banded, suggesting heterogeneity with the C-blocks. There is extensive variation both between and within populations of the northern race in the number and size of the distal heterochromatic blocks. There is no apparent difference between the races in chiasma frequency. The northern race does have much higher proportion of interstitial versus distal chiasmata, although it is probable that this is merely a reflection of lack of crossing over in the heterochromatic blocks rather than an actual shift of chiasma localisation within the euchromatin. Despite the extensive differences between the races in the amount and organization of constitutive heterochromatin, hybrids show no abnormalities at meiosis and they are fully fertile.