Five species of Cricetinae were investigated with regard to chromosome banding pattern homology. The strikingly coincident G-banding patterns present inCricetus cricetusandCricetulus griseuscould not be found in the other species. OnlyPhodopus sungorusshows a still considerable number of homologous segments of chromosomes. The C-banded karyotypes reveal fundamental differences in amount and distribution of heterochromatin. The highest amounts of heterochromatin are found inCricetus cricetusandMesocricetus auratus, the lowest amount is shown byMystromys albicaudatus.The karyotype ofCricetus cricetusis characterized by large blocks of centromeric heterochromatin, that ofMesocricetus auratusby totally heterochromatic short arms of many chromosomes.Cricetulus griseusandPhodopus sungoruspossess several pairs of chromosomes without distinct centromeric heterochromatin. Each autosome ofMystromys albicaudatusreveals a small amount of heterochromatin in the centromeric region; two pairs of chromosomes possess heterochromatic short arms.