Chromosomal Evolution in Chipmunks, with Special Emphasis on A and B Karyotypes of the Subgenus Neotamias

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Abstract
All chipmunks are best referred to a single genus, Tamias, with the single Eurasian species in the subgenus Eutamias, the eastern North American species in the subgenus Tamias, and the remaining western North American species assigned to the subgenus Neotamias. Giemsa-band patterns of chromosomes from North American chipmunks, and intrapopulational and intraspecific variation in karyotypes and hybrid karyotypes, in T. minimus from Wyoming and Montana [USA], are described. Comparisons of subgenus Neotamias karyotype A from T. (N.) minimus minimus, T. (N.) m. operarius and T. (N.) cinereicollis cinereicollis with karyotype B from T. (N.) minimus pallidus, T. (N.) amoenus luteiventris, T. (N.) quadrivittatus quadrivittatus, T. (N.) palmeri, T. (N.) panamintinus panamintinus and T. (N.) umbrinus fremonti confirm that these karyotypes differ by only 1 pericentric inversion of the smallest acrocentric or biarmed chromosome of the complement. In contrast, at least 9 chromosomal rearrangements separate the T. (Tamias) striatus karyotype from Neotamias. The karyotype of Eurasian T. (Eutamias) sibiricus differs from both North American subgenera.