CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Abstract. ? Current cytogenetic knowledge of Argentinean birds. ? Argentina has a vast diversity of birds, with approximately 1,007 species. The objectives of this research were to review the literature on the chromosomal characterization of bird species in Argentina; and to analyze this information in the con- text of the group?s endangered situation at a global level, in order to contribute to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of species and to the conservation value of this diversity for the Argentine bird popula- tion. Slightly above 20% of these species is studied cytogenetically. The chromosome number ranges from 2n = 114 in the Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) to 2n = 48 in the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregri- nus). For most species, the number of micro-chromosomes is 70% of the total number of chromosomes, except for nine species in which the reverse occurs. Chromosome Z in all species occupies preponder- antly the 4th chromosomal pair in size and chromosome W the 8th pair. The morphology reported for both is variable, the metacentric-submetacentric prevailing. Many species should be re-studied because there is no agreement in the diverse 2n reported by different authors in the literature. Fifty-six species of Argentine birds are included as endangered in categories on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, of which only four are cytogenetically studied. The scarcity of cytogenetic stud- ies on Argentinean birds is emphasized and particularly, only 7.14% of endangered species are studied. Chromosomal characterization is a relevant study for biological conservation because it reflects species diversity and contributes to phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships as well as to management and conservation policy making. The analysis of the information gathered in this paper indicates that a greater number of studies on avian cytogenetic should be encouraged.

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