Molecular cytogenetics characterization of Rhinoclemmys punctularia (Testudines, Geoemydidae) and description of a Gypsy-H3 association in its genome.

The wide variation found in the size of eukaryotic genomes is largely related to the accumulation of repetitive sequences. Studies show that these sequences can go through an evolutionary process (molecular co-optation) and acquire new genomic functions. Cytogenetic studies reveal a wide karyotypic variation between chelonians (order Testudines) (2n = 26-68), attributed mainly to the number of microchromosomes.