Figure 1. Consensus Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) Karyotype.

Cytogenetic analyses indicate that the scarlet macaw diploid chromosome number is 2n = 62–64, as inferred from chromosome counts of multiple cells derived from three individuals, including the sequenced female macaw (Neblina). All investigated scarlet macaws had 22 macrochromosomes, which included 10 pairs of autosomes and the sex chromosomes, and approximately 40–42 microchromosomes, the numbers of which varied due to technical reasons such as metaphase overlaps, variation in staining, and chromosome spreading.