Chromosomal Diversification in Two Species of Pimelodus (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae): Comparative Cytogenetic Mapping of Multigene Families.

Pimelodidae has a high number of species, but cytogenetic studies are generally restricted to classical chromosomal characterization and in situ localization of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes. This study was developed to compare Pimelodus microstoma and Pimelodus pohli focusing on chromosomal diversification provided by the transposition of DNA sequences containing multigene families. Both species share 56 chromosomes, with centromeric and terminal heterochromatic blocks. The silver nucleolus organizer regions (Ag-NORs)/45S rDNA was located in the chromosome pair 24 for both species. The 5S rDNA sites were evidenced in the pair 8 of P. microstoma, and in the pairs 1, 17, and 18 in P. pohli. The U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) was located at terminal site in the first subtelocentric pair in both species. The U2 snRNA site was syntenic to 5S rDNA in non-homeologue chromosomes between analyzed species. The histones H3 and H4 were clustered in chromosome pairs 19 and 23 in P. microstoma, and 21 and 22 in P. pohli. Our study proposes that the movement of DNA sequences carrying multigene families has been driven on the chromosomal diversification of Pimelodidae. These multigene location in the genomes can explain most of the visualized chromosomal rearrangements in Pimelodidae and it is useful to understand the chromosomal changes and their distinctive karyotype formulae.

Karyotype Diversity and Evolutionary Trends in Armored Catfish Species of the Genus Harttia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae).

Most species of the genus Harttia inhabits the headwaters of small tributaries, but some species are restricted to the main channel of some rivers. This feature, combined with limited dispersal ability, leads to the formation of small isolated populations with reduced gene flow. Currently, there are 23 taxonomically defined and recognized species, and 17 of these are found in Brazil, distributed in several hydrographic basins. Despite this diversity, few chromosomal data for the species belonging to this genus are found in the literature. Thus, this study analyzed, by classical and molecular cytogenetics methodologies, the chromosomal diversity of this genus, to discuss the processes that are involved in the evolution and karyotype differentiation of the species of the group. Seven species of Harttia were analyzed: H. kronei, H. longipinna, H. gracilis, H. punctata, H. loricariformis, H. torrenticola, and H. carvalhoi. The chromosomal diversity found in these species includes different diploid and fundamental numbers, distinct distribution of several repetitive sequences, the presence of supernumerary chromosomes in H. longipinna and multiple sex chromosome systems of the type XX/XY1Y2 in H. carvalhoi and X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y in H. punctata. Lastly, our data highlight the genus Harttia as an excellent model for evolutionary studies.

Chromosome Analyses of Apareiodon argenteus and Apareiodon davisi (Characiformes, Parodontidae): An Extensive Chromosomal Polymorphism of 45S and 5S Ribosomal DNAs.

This study analyzed two Apareiodon species without available chromosome data: Apareiodon argenteus and Apareiodon davisi. Both species have 54 metacentric/submetacentric chromosomes, with centromeric blocks of heterochromatin. Nucleolus organizer regions were active in chromosome pair 2 in A. argenteus and pairs 4 and 9 in A. davisi. In A. argenteus, 45S and 5S ribosomal genes were located in chromosome pairs 2 and 18, respectively. Polymorphisms were observed in these ribosomal sequences in A. davisi, with variations in the number/position of sites, and colocalization of these genes in some chromosome pairs. The WAp repetitive fraction was dispersed along the chromosomes of the two species. The satellite DNA pPh2004 was identified in chromosome pairs 7, 8, 10, 11, and 18 in A. argenteus and in pair 24 in A. davisi. The present study describes the first case of chromosomal polymorphisms involving two ribosomal sequences in Parodontidae and discusses the role of repetitive DNAs in the genome and karyotype diversity of this family.

Occurrence of Natural Hybrids Among Sympatric Karyomorphs in Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Characiformes, Erythrinidae).

In this study, 43 specimens of Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus from the São Francisco River basin were chromosomally analyzed by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding, silver nitrate impregnation, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes of 5S and 18S rDNA. The diploid numbers found were 50 and 52 chromosomes, showing the existence of two well-defined biological entities in sympatry. Specimens with 51 chromosomes, which showed three distinct karyotypic forms, were also found and are characterized as natural hybrids due to the correspondence with the chromosomes of the specimens with 50 and 52 chromosomes. By FISH using 5S and 18S rDNA probes, it was possible to detect specific chromosomal markers for the specimens with 50 and 52 chromosomes, as well as the occurrence of common sites in both. The specimens with 51 chromosomes showed intermediate patterns for these markers, reinforcing the hypothesis that these are actual natural hybrids. A review and new classification for the karyomorphs of H. unitaeniatus have also been proposed.

The role of chromosomal fusion in the karyotypic evolution of the genus Ageneiosus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae)

Ageneiosus is the most widely distributed genus of the family Auchenipteridae among South American river basins. Although chromosome studies in the family are scarce, this genus has the largest number of analyzed species, with 2n = 54 to 56 chromosomes, differing from the rest of the family (2n = 58). This study aimed to analyze Ageneiosus inermis from the Araguaia River basin. The diploid number found was of 56 chromosomes. Heterochromatin was allocated in terminal region of most chromosomes, plus a pericentromeric heterochromatic block in pair 1, a pair distinguished by size in relation to other chromosomes pairs. AgNORs were detected in only one submetacentric chromosome pair, which was confirmed by FISH. 5S rDNA was present in only one metacentric chromosome pair. Hybridization with [TTAGGG]n sequence marked the telomeres of all chromosomes, in addition to an ITS in the proximal region of the short arm of pair 1. The repetitive [GATA]n sequence was dispersed, with preferential location in terminal region of the chromosomes. Ageneiosus has a genomic organization somewhat different when compared to other Auchenipteridae species. Evidences indicate that a chromosomal fusion originated the first metacentric chromosome pair in A. inermis, rearrangement which may be a basal event for the genus.

Ageneiosus é o gênero da família Auchenipteridae mais amplamente distribuído em bacias da América do Sul. Apesar dos estudos cromossômicos nesta família serem escassos, este gênero tem o maior número de espécies analisadas, com número diploide variando de 54 a 56 cromossomos, o que difere do restante da família (2n = 58). Este estudo objetivou analisar Ageneiosus inermis da bacia do rio Araguaia. O número diploide encontrado foi de 56 cromossomos. A heterocromatina se mostrou localizada na região terminal da maioria dos cromossomos, além de um bloco heterocromático pericentromérico no par 1, um par facilmente distinguível no cariótipo pelo seu maior tamanho quando comparado aos outros pares do complemento. AgRONs foram detectadas em somente um par de cromossomos submetacêntricos, que foi confirmado pela FISH. 5S rDNA se mostrou presente em somente um par de cromossomos metacêntricos. A hibridização com a sequência [TTAGGG]n marcou os telômeros de todos os cromossomos, além de um ITS (sequência telomérica intersticial) na região proximal do braço curto do par 1. A sequência repetitiva [GATA]n se mostrou dispersa, com localização preferencial na região terminal dos cromossomos. Ageneiosus apresenta uma organização genômica um pouco diferente quando comparada a outras espécies de Auchenipteridae. As evidências indicam que uma fusão cromossômica originou o primeiro par de cromossomos metacêntricos de A. inermis, rearranjo que parece ser um evento basal para o gênero.

First karyotype description of Hypostomus iheringii (Regan, 1908): a case of heterochromatic polymorphism.

In this study, which is the first karyotype analysis of Hypostomus iheringii, nine specimens collected in Córrego da Lapa (tributary of the Passa-Cinco River) showed a diploid number of 80 chromosomes. Silver nitrate staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with an 18S rDNA probe revealed the presence of multiple nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) (chromosome pairs 13, 20, and 34). FISH with a 5S rDNA probe showed that this cistron was only present in chromosome pair 2. When the karyotypes of individual animals were compared, unique heterochromatic polymorphisms were detected on chromosome pairs 1 and 5. Specifically, specimens had heterochromatic blocks (h+h+) on both chromosomes, one chromosome with heterochromatic blocks (h+h-) or chromosomes that lacked heterochromatic blocks (h-h-). Considering that heteromorphic pattern is not correlated with variation in size, the process of heterochromatinization might act on the long arms of these chromosomes. In summary, all chromosomal markers indicate that the karyotype of Hypostomus iheringii is highly differentiated and that the heterochromatinization of chromosomal segments may have contributed to its karyotypic differentiation.