Volobouev V. auteur aut IRD Aniskin V. M. auteur aut IRD Sicard Bruno auteur aut IRD Dobigny Gauthier auteur aut IRD Granjon Laurent auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng Comparative analysis of the G- and C-banding patterns in six morphologically similar species of the genus Gerbilliscus ( G. gambianus, G. guineae, G. kempi, Gerbilliscus sp., G. robustus and G. leucogaster) and one belonging to the genus Gerbillurus ( G. tytonis) from 27 West, East and South African localities was carried out. Our study revealed that 17 rearrangements comprising seven fissions, five translocations and five inversions occurred in the evolution of this group, with 1 - 13 rearrangements differentiating the various species. In addition the unusually large sex chromosomes appear to be species- specific as judged by size and morphology reflecting structural rearrangements as well as the variable presence of a large amount of C-heterochromatin found in each species at a particular chromosomal location. These karyotypic features allow us to recognize five distinct species in West Africa ( compared to the two recognized in recent taxonomic lists) and to roughly delimit their geographical distributions. The pattern of phylogenetic relationships inferred from a cladistic analysis of the chromosomal data is in good agreement with recent molecular phylogenetic studies that recognize a West African species group within the genus Gerbilliscus, and the monophyly of both Gerbilliscus and Gerbillurus. specialized 080 116 4 269-281 2007 1424-8581 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010041988 10.1159/000100411 1424-8581 [F B010041988] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010041988 IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2007-08-06 2017-08-23 fdi:010041988 fre