Characterisation of a tandem repetitive sequence cloned from the deer Capreolus capreolus and its chromosomal localisation in two muntjac species.

The isolation and characterisation of a highly repetitive DNA sequence from the genome of the Roe deer Capreolus capreolus is reported. This sequence is characterised by tandem repetition and located within centric heterochromatin as demonstrated by non isotopic in situ hybridisation to the karyotypes of the Indian and Chinese muntjacs. Amplification and/or clustering of these sequences during the drastic karyotype evolution of the genus Muntiacus was noted in the large centromere of the X chromosome of the Indian muntjac. Partial sequence analysis revealed a 62% sequence homology with the sat 1A sequences of Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis.