Chromosomal diversification in ribosomal DNA sites in Ancistrus Kner, 1854 (Loricariidae, Ancistrini) from three hydrographic basins of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Populations of seven Ancistrus species were analyzed from streams and rivers of three hydrographic Brazilian basins. All populations showed different diploid numbers (2n), fundamental numbers (FNs), and karyotypes. Some representatives of Loricariidae have 2n = 54 chromosomes, which is very likely an ancestral cytotaxonomic characteristic, but many other representatives show extensive karyotype diversification. In the Ancistrus species studied, extensive karyotypic differentiation, which is generally associated with chromosome number reduction and rearrangement of the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) sites, was verified. Chromosomal locations of 18S and 5S rDNA were jointly detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In all the Ancistrus species analyzed, 18S rDNA sites were detected only on one chromosome pair, though this differed among species. 5S rDNA was located on 1–3 chromosome pairs either separately or in synteny with 18S rDNA in four of the seven species/populations. Hence the karyotype differentiation in Ancistrus species could be associated with a morphological speciation process, suggesting that chromosome fusions, inversions, deletions, duplications, and heterochromatination could contribute to the karyotype evolution of these neotropical armored catfishes

Cytogenetic analysis in Thoracocharax stellatus (Kner, 1858) (Characiformes, Gasteropelecidae) from Paraguay River Basin, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Thoracocharax stellatus (Characiformes, Gasteropelecidae) is a small Neotropical species of fish, widely distributed in several rivers of South America. Evidence for karyotype heteromorphysm in populations from different geographical regions has been reported for this species. In this way, populations of T. stellatus from the Paraguay River basin were cytogenetically characterized and the results were compared with other studies performed in the same species but from different basins. The results showed a diploid number of 2n = 54 for T. stellatus, with chromosomes arranged in 6 metacentric (m), 6 submetacentric (sm), 2 subtelocentric (st) and 40 acrocentric (a), for both sexes, with a simple Nucleolus Organiser Region (NOR) system reported by the techniques of silver nitrate impregnation and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) using 18S rDNA sequences as probe. The distribution of constitutive heterochromatin, observed by the C-band technique and Chromomycin A3 staining showed great similarity among the analyzed populations and consists mainly of discrete blocks in the pericentromeric and telomeric regions of most chromosomes. The presence of female heterogamety was also observed indicating a ZZ/ZW system with W chromosome almost totally heterochromatic. The results also show cytogenetic diversity of the group and are useful to understand the mechanisms of karyotype evolution of the family

Chromosome polymorphism in Ancistrus cuiabae Knaack, 1999 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Ancistrini)

Cytogenetic and FISH analyses were performed in 30 Ancistrus cuiabae specimens from a bay near the town of Poconé, in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The observed diploid number was 2n = 34 chromosomes for both sexes and three distinct katyotypic formulae were found, namely cytotype A (20m, 8sm, 6st, Fundamental Number/FN = 68; 6 males and 11 females), cytotype B (19m, 8sm, 6st, 1a, FN = 67; 8 males and 4 females) and cytotype C (18m, 8sm, 6st, 2a, FN = 66; a single male). NORs's analyses showed that these regions were located in distinct sites on the NOR-bearing chromosome pair, according to cytotypes. Thus, in cytotype A, NORs were located in the terminal region of the short arm of the second metacentric chromosome pair; in cytotype B, they were detected in the short arm of the metacentric chromosome and interstitially on the acrocentric chromosome and, in cytotype C, NORs were observed in the interstitial region of the acrocentric chromosome pair. C-positive heterochromatic bands were adjacent to the rDNA sites in the corresponding chromosomes. Thus, the chromosomal polymorphism of A. cuiabae was probably originated through a pericentric inversion in chromosome pair nº 2 involving the NOR sites, which represents a novelty in the Ancistrini tribe. The results also broaden the knowledge of the chromosomal evolution in Ancistrus, the most derived genus of the Ancistrini tribe

Comparative cytogenetics of Astyanax (Teleostei: Characidae) from the upper Paraguay basin

ABSTRACT Astyanax is one of the most abundant and diverse taxa of fishes in the Neotropical region. In order to increase the amount of cytogenetic information for Astyanax as well as to exhibit data to subsidize future taxonomic studies, this work analyzed three species of Astyanax: two species are cryptic, and are here reported to live in syntopy (A. abramis and A. lacustris); the first karyotype description for A. pirapuan is also presented. Cytogenetic analyzes reveal a diploid number of 2n=50 chromosomes for three species, yet with differences in their karyotype morphology. The physical mapping of 18S rDNA showed up to thirteen sites in A. pirapuan and two in A. abramis and A. lacustris. The physical mapping of 5S rDNA has proven to be an effective marker for the characterization of species of Astyanax studied in this work