The chromosomes of Gazella bennetti and Gazella saudiya

Seven individuals of captive Gazella bennetti were found to have chromosomal complements of 2n = 49-52, and seven captive G. saudiya had complements of 2n = 46-53. G-banded karyotypes revealed that variation in diploid number was the result of an autosome-to-X chromosome translocation and four independent Robertsonian translocations. There were no fixed chromosomal differences between G. bennetti and G. saudiya, but two pericentric inversions distinguished Pakistani G. bennetti from Iranian G. bennetti and G. saudiya. Several pairs of metacentric chromosomes of both species were monobrachially homologous with metacentrics of G. dorcas and G. gazella, indicating G. bennetti and G. saudiya are reproductively isolated from G. dorcas and G. gazella. As with other species of gazelles, chromosomal studies of natural populations are needed for these species.