Polymorphism is a general concept in biology, referring to a more than one version of a trait being actively present in a population. Chomosomal polymorphism refers to the condition where one species contains members with varying chromosome counts or shapes. In most cases, the difference in chromosome counts is the result of a single gene undergoing fission, where it splits into two smaller chromosomes, or two undergoing fusion, where two chromosomes join to form one. In general, polymorphism describes multiple possible states for a single property (it is said to be polymorphic). ... In biology, a species is the basic unit of biodiversity. ... Figure 1: Chromosome. ...
This condition has been detected in many species. Trichomycterus davisi, for example, is discussed by in this brief, well illustrated article by Luciana Andreia Borin and Isabel Cristina Martins-Santos. This is an extreme case, where the polymorphism was present within a single chimeric individual. In zoology, a chimera is an animal which has two or more different populations of cells, which are genetically distinct and which originated in different zygotes (fertilized eggs). ...
A flourishing colony of these animals exists at the Duke Primate Research Center and karyotypes of several animals of that colony have shown a chromosomalpolymorphism of 2n=50 to 2n=52.
Lemur karyotypes vary considerably in chromosome number and structure as summarized by Rumpler (1975) and subsequent studies.
Rumpler, Y.: The significance of chromosomal studies in the systematics of the Malagasy lemurs.
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