CHROMOSOME VARIANTS IN BIRDS

Chromosomes of birds demonstrate Chromosome evolution in action. In an interbreeding population which exhibits chromosome polumorphism, the karyotype is in a state of flux, so that a low frequency variant may not be the new chromosomal rearrangement, but a remnant of the original standard configuration. Within groups there are marked karyological similarities that are distinct from other groups. Certain of the hawks and eagles have distinct karyotypes as contrasted with other taxa thus indication their early separation during evolution. In contrast to this, chromosome types demonstrate unique constancy in four species of ostrich taxa demonstrating wide geographic distribution. The present paper highlights all sorts of chromosomal mechanisms operating on avian evolution by citing specific work done on goose and domestic hen.