Karyotype and nuclear DNA content of Trichomycterus areolatus (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae)

ABSTRACT

Cytogenetic analysis of Trichomycterus areolatus, collected from the Tijeral and Huilma Rivers in southern Chile has shown a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 54, a fundamental number of FN = 106, and a karyotypic formula of 44m + 8sm + 2st. Intra-individual polymorphism of chromosome number (2n = 54, 55 and 56) in specimens from the Huilma River has also been documented, providing further evidence of the occurrence of this phenomenon in Trichomycterus. The karyotype exhibited large chromosome pairs metacentric pairs 1 (relative length 7.54 percent), 2 (5.75 percent) and 3 (5.09 percent), submetacentric pair 23 (5.25 percent), and subtelocentic pair 27 (5.28 percent). Nuclear DNA content analysis showed an average value of 5.04 ± 1.09 pg/nucleus. This DNA content is higher than the mean value described for other species in this genus.