Characterization of the atypical karyotype of the black-winged kite Elanus caeruleus (Falconiformes: Accipitridae) by means of classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques.

The karyotype of the black-winged kite (Elanus caeruleus), a small diurnal raptor living in Africa, Asia and southern Europe, was studied with classical (G-, C-, R-banding, and Ag-NOR staining) and molecular cytogenetic methods, including primed in-situ labelling (PRINS) and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) with telomeric (TTAGGG) and centromeric DNA repeats. The study revealed that the genome size, measured by flow cytometry (3.1 pg), is in the normal avian range.

PRINS, the other in situ DNA labeling method useful in cellular biology.

PRINS has proven to be an attractive alternative to FISH for in situ DNA labeling. PRINS is specific, simple, and rapid. We review some applications of PRINS involving primers specific for telomeric, human Alu, and centromeric alpha-satellite sequences.