Localization of the 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNA genes and the 5S rRNA genes in the babirusa and the white-lipped peccary

The locations of the genes encoding 18S, 5.8S and 28S rRNA and 5S rRNA were studied in two relatives of the domestic pig, the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) and the white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari). In the babirusa, the 18S, 5.8S and 28S rDNA is located on chromosomes 6, 8 and 10. The genes on chromosomes 8 and 10 are actively transcribed, in contrast to those on chromosomes 6. In the white-lipped peccary, this rDNA was found to be located on chromosomes 4 and 8. The genes on both of these pairs of chromosomes are actively transcribed. The 5S rDNA was physically mapped to chromosome 16 in the babirusa, and to chromosome 11 in the white-lipped peccary. These data are compared to similar data obtained for the domestic pig, and confirm previously recognized chromosome homologies.