Fission in the Evolution of a Lizard Karyotype

Abstract
The lizard Anolis monticola has a diploid chromosome number of 48 (24 macrochromosomes and 24 micrcchromosomes). More primitive members of the genus, as determined by bone morphology, have 12 macrochromosomes and 24 microchromosomes. Since the higher chromosome number is the derived condition, this is a case of karyotypic change by centric fission.