Comparative cytogenetic analysis of eleven species of subfamilies Neoplecostominae and Hypostominae (Siluriformes : Loricariidae)

The family Loricariidae with about 690 species divided into six subfamilies, is one of the world's largest fish families. Recent studies have shown the existence of several problems in the definition of natural groups in the family, which has made the characterization of the subfamilies and even of some genera quite difficult. With the main objective of contributing for a better understanding of the relationships between loricariids, cytogenetic analysis were conducted with two species of Neoplecostominae and nine species of Hypostominae that, according to morphological and molecular data, may belong to a new monophyletic unit. The results obtained showed a marked chromosomal conservation with the presence of 2n = 54 chromosomes and single interstitial Ag-NORs in all species analyzed. Considering that Neoplecostominae is the primitive sister-group of all other loricariids, with exception of Lithogeneinae, this karyotypic structure may represent the primitive condition for the family Loricariidae. The cytogenetic characteristics partaken by the species of Neoplecostominae and Hypostominae analyzed in the present study reinforce the hypothesis that the species of both these subfamilies might belong to a natural group.

Cytogenetic analysis of three species of the genus Haemulon (Teleostei : Haemulinae) from Margarita Island, Venezuela

This paper describes the karyotype analysis of Haemulon aurolineatum, Haemulon bonariensis and Haemulon plumierii, by Giemsa staining, C-banding, Ag-staining and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), to locate the 18S and 5S rRNA genes. Diploid modal count in the three species was 2n = 48 acrocentric elements. Except for pair 24, which exhibited an unmistakable secondary constriction in all three species, it was not possible to classify them as homologous to each other because differences in chromosome size were too slight between adjacent pairs within a size-graded series. Ag-NOR clusters were located in pair 24 in the three species with signal located on the secondary constriction of these chromosomes. C-banding demonstrated that the three species share the same distribution pattern of the constitutive heterochromatin with centromeric heterochromatic blocks in the 23 chromosome pairs and a pericentromeric block in pair 24 which is coincident with the NORs. FISH experiments showed that 18S rDNA sequences were located coincident with the Ag-NOR site in the three species; however, differences in both the number and chromosome distribution of 5S-rDNA cluster were detected among them. Our data suggest that chromosome evolution of Haemulon has been preserved from major changes in the karyotypic macrostructure, whereas microstructural changes have occurred.

Conservation of the 5S-bearing chromosome pair and co-localization with major rDNA clusters in five species of Astyanax (Pisces, Characidae)

Major and 5S ribosomal genes have been localized in chromosomes from five fish species, genus Aslyanax, using in situ hybridization (FISH) with 28S and 5S rDNA probes. In situ signals for the major rDNA co-localized with the 5S rDNA clusters in the pericentromeric region of one marker chromosome in all five species analyzed. The conserved localization of these two rDNA clusters in the five related Astyanax species was considered as indicative of a close relationship among them. The use of these molecular markers for elucidating evolutionary relationships among closely related taxa is discussed. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Cytogenetic analysis of three catfish species of the family Pseudopimelodidae (Teleostei, Siluriformes)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytogenetic analysis of five Hypostomus species (Siluriformes, Loricariidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytogenetic studies in three species of Lutjanus (Perciformes: Lutjanidae: Lutjaninae) from the Isla Margarita, Venezuela

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cytogenetic characterization of Rhomboplites aurorubens and Ocyurus chrysurus, two monotypic genera of Lutjaninae from Cubagua Island, Venezuela, with a review of the cytogenetics of Lutjanidae (Teleostei: Perciformes)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Cytogenetic Mapping of rRNAs and Histone H3 Genes in 14 Species of Dichotomius ( Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae, Scarabaeinae) Beetles

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chromosomal Variability among Allopatric Populations of Erythrinidae Fish Hoplias malabaricus: Mapping of Three Classes of Repetitive DNAs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Interspecific fish hybrids in Brazil: management of genetic resources for sustainable use

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Genetics of neotropical fish: from chromosomes to populations

The Neotropical freshwater fish fauna is very rich-according to the most recent catalogue 71 families and 4,475 species have been described. However, only a small amount of general information is available on the composition of Neotropical marine fishes. In Brazil, 1,298 marine species have been recorded. General analysis of available cytogenetic and population genetic data clearly indicates research has been mainly concentrated on freshwater fishes. Thus, today, cytogenetic information is available for 475 species of Characiformes, 318 species of Siluriformes, 48 species of Gymnotiformes, 199 freshwater species that do not belong to the superorder Ostariophysi, and only 109 species of marine fishes. For the species studied, only about 6% have sex chromosomes and about 5% have supernumerary or B chromosomes. A review of the cytogenetic studies shows that these data have provided valuable information about the relationships between fish groups, the occurrence of cryptic species and species complexes, the mechanism of sex determination and sex chromosome evolution, the distribution of nucleolus organizer regions, the existence supernumerary chromosomes, and the relationship between polyploidy and evolution. In relation to populations in Neotropical marine waters, the studies have shown the presence of cryptic species, which has important implications for fishery management. Different levels of genetic structuring can be found among Neotropical freshwater migratory fish species. This raises important implications for fish population genetic diversity and consequently its sustainable utilization in inland fisheries and aquaculture, specifically for conservation of ichthyo-diversity and survival.

Organization of Repeated DNA Elements in the Genome of the Cichlid Fish Cichla kelberi and Its Contributions to the Knowledge of Fish Genomes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Classical and molecular cytogenetic characterization of Agonostomus monticola, a primitive species of Mugilidae (Mugiliformes)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cytogenetic Mapping of the Retroelements Rex1, Rex3 and Rex6 among Cichlid Fish: New Insights on the Chromosomal Distribution of Transposable Elements

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparative Cytogenetic Analysis of the Genus Symphysodon (Discus Fishes, Cichlidae): Chromosomal Characteristics of Retrotransposons and Minor Ribosomal DNA

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)