Studies on Silver staining of chromosomes of caecilians (Amphibia:Gymnophiona) of Western Ghats of India

Chromosomal localization for the ribosomal cistrons in the mitotic metaphase complements of caecilian chromosomes was examined by the application of silver nitrate staining, thereby highlighting of NOR regions. At least, two primary Ag-NORs were localized on the telomeric regions of two pairs of chromosomes in the complement, invariably; one, two or more secondary NORs were seen on different chromosomes that seemed to pose a common occurrence. The number and locations of Ag-NO3 has generally been found characteristic although of variable nature throughout their genome. Interchromosomal, intercellular and interindividual variability of NORs, is a common sight, may reprimand of their genetic significance that could not be dismounted.