Chromosomal studies of five species of the marine fishes from the Paranaguá Bay and the karyotypic diversity in the marine teleostei of the Brazilian coast

In this study, five species of marine fishes from the Paranaguá Bay in the Brazilian coast were evaluated. Eucinostomus argenteus and Diapterus rhombeus (Gerreidae) presented 48 chromosomes, all of which more acrocentric (FN = 48); Strongylura timucu and S. marina (Belonidae) also presented 48 chromosomes, but with a higher karyotypic complexity than the Gerreidae, 10M+2SM+36A (FN = 60) and 4M+44A (FN = 52), respectively. The fifth species, Mugil curema (Mugilidae), different than the others, presented only 28 chromosomes 20M+4ST+4A (FN = 48). The species presented diversity in the karyotypic macro-structure, which should be relevant for the cytotaxonomy and the evolution of this group of the vertebrate.

Nas últimas décadas tem ocorrido no Brasil um incremento de estudos cariotípicos em peixes marinhos. Atualmente são conhecidos os cariótipos de 118 espécies, distribuídas em 43 famílias e 80 gêneros. Foram estudadas cinco espécies de peixes marinhos do complexo estuarino da Baía de Paranaguá na costa brasileira. Eucinostomus argenteus e Diapterus rhombeus (Gerreidae), apresentaram 48 cromossomos todos acrocêntricos (NF = 48); Strongylura timucu e S. marina (Belonidae) apresentaram 48 cromossomos, porém com complexidade cariotípica maior do que apresentada pelos gerreídeos, 10M+2SM+36A (NF = 60) e 4M+44A (NF = 52), respectivamente. A quinta espécie, Mugil curema (Mugilidae), ao contrário das outras quatro espécies aqui analisadas, apresentou apenas 28 cromossomos 20M+4ST+4A (NF = 48). Apesar da tendência em se verificar um cariótipo constituído por 48 cromossomos em teleósteos marinhos, as espécies aqui analisadas apresentam uma diversidade para a macroestrutura cariotípica a ser considerada para a citotaxonomia e evolução desse grupo de vertebrados.

Population analysis of a chromosome polymorphism in Astyanax (Teleostei, Characiformes) species endemic to the Iguaçu River

Chromosomal analyses were performed in the fish Astyanax sp.D collected from three different points: two streams from the right bank and one from the left bank of the Upper Iguaçu River, Paraná State, Brazil. The individuals from all localities possess 2n = 50 chromosomes and a FN = 84 (4m+24sm+6st+16a). The C-banding pattern was similar in all populations. However, within each population, an interindividual variation concerning the number and localization of heterochromatic bands was observed. Some of these variations were quantified in each population, and the results indicate that the samples were not different when studying the variable frequencies. Considering that Astyanax sp.D is typical in the headwaters of the Iguaçu River, these results were not expected. The data indicate that gene flow is occurring and that the Iguaçu River is not an ecological barrier among the Astyanax sp. D populations.

Cytotaxonomic and evolutionary considerations about karyotipic data of fishes from the Iguaçu River Basin in South of Brazil

The cytogenetic data available in the literature about the ichthyofauna of the Iguaçu River basin were analyzed in this review. The ichthyofauna was characterized by the high level of endemism and by the low diversity of species. Twenty-four of the eighty-one species were already karyotyped; six Characiformes, fourteen Siluriformes and four Perciformes. The chromosomal data showed the taxonomic and systematic complexity of the groups. Hypothesis related to the evolution of some Characiformes and Siluriformes groups from the Iguaçu River are proposed, as well as the utilization of karyotypic data for cytotaxonomy.

Nesta revisão são analisados os dados citogenéticos disponíveis na literatura relativos à ictiofauna da bacia do Rio Iguaçu, a qual é caracterizada pelo alto grau de endemismo e pela baixa diversidade de espécies. Das oitenta e uma espécies conhecidas, vinte e quatro já foram cariotipadas sendo 6 Characiformes, 14 Siluriformes e 4 Perciformes. Os dados cromossômicos evidenciam a complexidade taxonômica e sistemática dos grupos. São propostas hipóteses relacionadas à evolução de alguns grupos de Characiformes e Siluriformes do Rio Iguaçu, assim como o aproveitamento de dados cariotípicos para a citotaxonomia.

Cytotaxonomy, heterochromatic polymorphism and natural triploidy of a species of Astyanax (Pisces, Characidae) endemic to the Iguaçu river basin

Cytogenetic analysis with Astyanax sp. D revealed a karyotype of 2n=50 with 2M+26SM+6ST+16A, besides a triploid specimen showing 2n=75 chromosomes (3M+39SM+9ST+24A). C-banding strongly stained the terminal regions of several SM-ST-A chromossomes. Two pairs of acrocentric chromosomes presented interstitial heterochromatin, this state being polymorphic and occuring due to possible paracentric inversions. The results obtained with the AluI restriction enzyme and A3 chromomycin were similar to the C-banding. Relationships were proposed between Astyanax sp. D and A. scabripinnis, as well as considerations for a possible origin of the triploid specimen (2n=3x=75). When comparing the present results with cytogenetic features of other endemic Astyanax species in the Iguaçu river (A. sp. B and C), a clear differentiation was observed between them, indicating cytogenetics as an important cytotaxonomic tool.

Análises citogenéticas em Astyanax sp. D evidenciaram 2n=50 cromossomos e um cariótipo com 2M+26SM+6ST+16A. O bandamento C destacou as regiões teloméricas de diversos cromossomos SM-ST-A. Dois pares de cromossomos acrocêntricos possuem heterocromatina intersticial, sendo este estado polimórfico decorrente de prováveis inversões paracêntricas. O resultados obtidos com a enzima de restrição AluI e a Cromomicina A3 foram semelhantes aos do bandamento C. São propostas relações de parentesco entre Astyanax sp. D e Astyanax scabripinnis, bem como considerações sobre a possível origem do exemplar triplóide (2n=3x=75). Ao comparar os resultados deste trabalho com outras espécies de Astyanax do Rio Iguaçu, estas espécies se tornam claramente distinguíveis, evidenciando a citogenética como uma importante ferramenta taxonômica.

Karyotypic characterization of Hydromedusa tectifera (Testudines, Pleurodira) from the upper Iguaçu River in the Brazilian state of Paraná

We present the karyotypic characterization of 26 specimens of the side-necked turtle Hydromedusa tectifera collected in the upper Iguaçu River, Paraná state, Brazil. The turtles were cytogenetically analyzed using Giemsa staining and other banding techniques (C, G, Ag-NOR and CMA3) as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a rDNA 18S probe. All the specimens showed a diploid number of 58 composed of 22 macro and 36 microchromosomes. The Ag-NOR, CMA3 and FISH techniques permitted the identification and characterization of the chromosome pairs bearing nucleolus organizer regions (NORs), while G-banding facilitated a better recognition and pairing of macrochromosomes. These data agree with some information available in the literature and should be very useful for further cytotaxonomic and cytosystematic studies.

Mutagenic effects of tributyltin and inorganic lead (Pb II) on the fish H. malabaricus as evaluated using the comet assay and the piscine micronucleus and chromosome aberration tests

Genotoxicity studies on toxic metals and their organic compounds are very important, especially so in the investigation of the effects of these compounds on the aquatic environments where they tend to accumulate. The use of endemic aquatic organisms as biological sentinels has proved useful to environmental monitoring. We assessed the mutagenic potential of tributyltin (TBT) and inorganic lead (PbII) using samples of the fish Hoplias malabaricus (commonly called traíra) using the comet assay and the piscine micronucleus and chromosome aberration tests. Eighteen H. malabaricus were acclimatized in three individual aquariums, each containing six fish, six fish being exposed to 0.3 mg/g of body weight (bw) of TBT, six to 21 mg/g bw of PbII and six being used as controls. Exposure to TBT and PbII was achieved by feeding the fish every five days with Astyanax (a small fish that is part of the normal diet of H. malabaricus) which had been injected with solutions of TBT, PbII or with water (the control group). After two months the H. malabaricus were sacrificed and their peripheral blood collected and subjected to the comet and micronucleus assays, the chromosome aberration assay being conducted using kidney-tissue. Although the comet assay showed now mutagenic effects at the lead concentrations used but encountered results with TBT, the micronucleus and chromosome aberrations assays both indicated that TBT and PbII are potentially mutagenic (p < 0.01), the micronucleus assay showing morphological alterations of the nucleus.

Genetic damage induced by trophic doses of lead in the neotropical fish Hoplias malabaricus (Characiformes, Erythrinidae) as revealed by the comet assay and chromosomal aberrations

The effects of clastogenic or mutagenic agents have rarely been studied in neotropical fish species exposed to contaminated water. In this study, the genetic damage caused by lead in the widely distributed South American fish, Hoplias malabaricus, was assessed using the comet (SCGE) assay and by testing for chromosomal aberrations. Eighteen specimens were acclimatized to laboratory conditions and then chronically exposed to contaminated food by feeding prey (Cyprinus sp.) injected intraperitoneally with doses of inorganic lead adjusted to give a contamination level of 21 mg of Pb2+.g-1 net weight of H. malabaricus. Three fish were sampled for chromosomal analysis after four doses (18 days) and another three after eight doses (41 days) of lead and the results then compared with three untreated controls kept under lead-free conditions. An additional six treated fish and three controls were sampled for the comet assay after 13 doses (64 days). Exposure to lead significantly increased the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and the frequency of tailed cell nuclei, the latter indicating DNA damage. These results show that H. malabaricus is a useful biological model for screening the clastogenic effects of lead and possibly other xenobiotics. The genetic damage seen here illustrates the need to investigate the potential effects of heavy metals on fish species in South America.