Chromosomal polymorphism in three species of Indian snakes

Interesting results regarding the polymorphic state of one or more pairs of macro-chromosomes in three species of colubrid snakes viz., Ahaetulla nasutus, Chrysopelea ornate and Acrochordus granulatus were obtained. Morphological variations were statistically estimated and idiograms prepared. These observations, when compared with those of the normal karyotypes, confirmed that the centric shifts were real and in all probability due to pericentric inversions. Such observations yield significant information regarding the mode of speciation in this group of animals.