C-Banded Karyotype and Cytotaxonomy of Mertensiella caucasica (WAGA, 1876) (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Chromosome number, karyotype and chromosomal banding pattern of Mertensiella caucasica were studied in differentially stained mitotic preparations. The main feature of the C-banded appearance concerns the centromere regions, which are heavily stained by the Giemsa and are outlined by proximal C-bands. This morpho-structural character seems to be peculiar of the genome of M. caucasica, when compared with the C-banding pattern shown by the chromosomes of Salamandra, considered the most closely related form. Therefore, a preliminary cytotaxonomic survey seems to support the opinion that the Caucasian salamander can be referred to a well defined genus Mertensiella rather than a subgenus of Salamandra.