Abstract We have created a database system named CIPEMAB (CItogenética dos PEquenos MAmíferos Brasileiros) to assemble images of the chromosomes of Brazilian small mammals (Rodents and Marsupials). It includes karyotype information, such as diploid number, karyotype features, idiograms, and sexual chromosomes characteristics. CIPEMAB facilitates quick sharing of information on chromosome research among cytogeneticists as well as researchers in other fields. The database contains more than 300 microscopic images, including karyotypic images obtained from 182 species of small mammals from the literature. Researchers can browse the contents of the database online (http://www.citogenetica.ufes.br). The system enables users to locate images of interest by taxa, and to display the document with detailed information on species names, authors, year of the species publication, and karyotypes pictures in different colorations. CIPEMAB has a wide range of applications, such as comparing various karyotypes of Brazilian species and identifying manuscripts of interest.

Oligoryzomys nigripes e O. flavescens são amplamente distribuídos e simpátricos em diversos biomas. Os caracteres diagnósticos para seus reconhecimentos não são claramente estabelecidos. Neste estudo, foram realizadas a descrição e comparação da morfologia externa, anatomia do crânio, dentes, esqueleto pós crânio, morfologia estomacal e peniana. Análises estatísticas foram geradas a partir de dados morfométricos. A amostra consiste de 208 exemplares provenientes de 24 localidades do Brasil. O. nigripes é maior, com pelagem dorsal mais escura e pelagem ventral esbranquiçada e salpicada de preto. Crânio maior e mais robusto que O. flavescens. O. flavescens é menor, com pelagem dorsal levemente mais clara e ventre amarelado. O padrão de circulação cefálica das duas espécies é derivada de segundo tipo. Em O. flavescens são visualizados acidentes proeminentes na escápula e úmero, enquanto O. nigripes demonstrou maiores diferenças localizadas na crista íliaca, orientação do ísquio e acidentes proeminentes na tíbia e fíbula. A morfologia estomacal de ambos os táxons possui padrão Unilocular-hemiglandular. A morfologia do pênis consiste de báculo central tri-digitado. A análise de função discriminante reconhecem claramente a distinção de dois grupos homogêneos representados pelas espécies. Segundo o teste t duas variáveis morfométricas (largura da placa zigomática e largura do primeiro molar superior) não são relevantes (P > 0.05) para a discriminação dos táxons. Dimorfismo sexual baseado na morfometria foi sustentado pelo teste t para O. nigripes. Em O. flavescens esta condição não é estatisticamente verificada.

Oligoryzoms flavescens and O. nigripes are widely distributed and sympatryc in many biomes. The diagnostic characters used to recognize these are not clearly established. In this study description and comparison was conducted of external morphology, anatomy of the skull, teeth, postcranial skeleton, as well as stomach and penis morphology. Statistical analysis was generated from morphometric data. The sample consisted of 208 specimens from 24 localities in Brazil. O. nigripes was found to be larger, with dorsal pelage darker and ventral pelage whitish with black specks, the skull being larger and more robust than O. flavescens. O. flavescens is smaller, with slightly clearer dorsal pelage and yellowish belly. The pattern of cephalic circulation is derived from the second type in both species. Comparison of postcranial skeleton reveals prominent accidents in scapula and humerus in O. flavescens. On the other hand O. nigripes demonstrated numerous differences localized in the iliac blade, orientation of the ischium and prominent accidents in tibia and fibula. The stomach morphology of both taxa had the same unilocular-hemiglandular pattern. The penis consisted of distal baculum tri-digited. Analysis of the discriminant function clearly indicates the distinction of two homogeneous groups represented by the species. According to t test, two morphometric variables (width of the zigomatic plate and width of first upper molar)are irrelevant (P > 0.05) to the discrimination of taxa. Sexual dimorphism based on morphometry was supported by t test for O. nigripes. In O. flavescens this condition was not supported.

Juliomys is a small rodent from the family Cricetidae which inhabits the Atlantic forest and forests from Argentina to eastern Brazil. The three species recognized so far have different karyotypes. In this paper, we describe a new karyotype with 2n = 32, FN = 48 found in Juliomys specimens from a high-altitude area in the Atlantic forest of southern Brazil. The karyotype was analyzed after G- and C-banding and silver staining of the nucleolus organizer regions (Ag-NOR) and its G-banding patterns were compared with those of the newly described species Juliomys ossitenuis (2n = 20, FN = 36). The 2n = 32 karyomorph presented peculiar features and was very different from those of the other species of the genus: J. pictipes (2n = 36, FN = 34), J. rimofrons (2n = 20, FN = 34) and J. ossitenuis (2n = 20, FN = 36). Differences were mostly due to centric and tandem fusions, pericentric inversion and loss of heterochromatin. The karyotype represents a powerful tool to differentiate Juliomys species and our data suggest that the karyotype described herein belongs to a new species.

The karyotypes of 85 specimens of Oligoryzomys nigripes (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae) collected in the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest of seven states of Brazil were analyzed. Eighty four specimens presented a karyotype with 2n = 62 and one individual had 2n = 61 due to a monosomy of the X chromosome. High levels of intra- and inter-population karyotypic variability, due to sex chromosomes heteromorphisms and pericentric inversions in four autosomes (pairs 2, 3, 4 and 8), led to a variation of the autosomal arm numbers (fundamental number, FN) from 78 to 82. Synaptonemal complex analyses revealed normal meiosis in males heterozygous for pericentric inversions. We found 39 different cytotypes, 27 of which are herein described for the first time. A literature survey revealed 46 described karyotypes for O. nigripes. We tested the hypothesis that chromosomal variants frequencies are dependent on geographical distribution and we propose a model for the karyotypical evolution of Oligoryzomys nigripes with 2n = 62/FN = 78-82.