Evolutionary History of Procyonids (Carnivora: Procyonidae): Comparative Cytogenetics of Nasua Nasua and Procyon Cancrivorus

The chromosome number of all species of Procyonidae was very conserved. Most have very strong chromosomal homology among members of the family, as well as with different species of the suborder Feliformia. Many chromosomes have similar and sometimes identical G-band patterns, while others differ due to Robertsonian translocations and inversions. In this work, the karyotype of two species of the family Procyonidae, Nasua nasua (2n=38; NF = 74) and Procyon cancrivorus (2n=38; NF = 76), the latter described cytogenetically for the first time, is characterized using conventional staining and differential G, C and NOR banding techniques. Pericentric and paracentric inversions were observed in Procyon cancrivorus and Nasua nasua, respectively. Finally, the G-band karyotypes of both species were compared with the Ancestral Carnivore Karyotype proposed in the literature, providing a homology and conservation on the karyotype evolution of this order.