The unusual karyotype of the lesser kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis

The chromosome set of the lesser kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis, consists of 38 elements in both sexes. In contrast to most other members of the bovid subfamily Tragelaphinae, both the X and the Y chromosomes are compound, having fused with identical autosomes from ancestors presumed to have higher chromosome numbers. From a comparison of the unusual sex chromosomal rearrangements that have occurred in this family, a hypothetical lineage has been derived. This family tree and the details of various banding studies in the lesser kudu are described.