Revealing the Satellite DNA Content in Ancistrus sp. (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) by Genomic and Bioinformatic Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Eukaryotic genomes are composed of simple, repetitive sequences, including satellite DNAs (satDNA), which are noncoding sequences arranged in tandem arrays. These sequences play a crucial role in genomic functions and innovations, influencing processes such as the maintenance of nuclear material, the formation of heterochromatin and the differentiation of sex chromosomes. In this genomic era, advances in next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools have facilitated the exhaustive cataloging of repetitive elements in genomes, particularly in non-model species. This study focuses on the satDNA content of Ancistrus sp., a diverse species of fish from the Loricariidae family. The genus Ancistrus shows significant karyotypic evolution, with extensive variability from the ancestral diploid number.

METHODS

By means of bioinformatic approaches, 40 satDNA families in Ancistrus sp., constituting 5.19% of the genome were identified. Analysis of the abundance and divergence landscape revealed diverse profiles, indicating recent amplification and homogenization of these satDNA sequences.

RESULTS

The most abundant satellite, AnSat1-142, constitutes 2.1% of the genome, while the least abundant, AnSat40-52, represents 0.0034%. The length of the monomer repeat varies from 16 to 142 base pairs, with an average length of 61 bp. These results contribute to understanding the genomic dynamics and evolution of satDNAs in Ancistrus sp.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the variability of satDNAs between fish species and provides valuable information on chromosome organization and the evolution of repetitive elements in non-model organisms.

Evolutionary breakpoint regions and chromosomal remodeling in Harttia (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) species diversification

The Neotropical armored catfish genus Harttia presents a wide variation of chromosomal rearrangements among its representatives. Studies indicate that translocation and Robertsonian rearrangements have triggered the karyotype evolution in the genus, including differentiation of sex chromosome systems. However, few studies used powerful tools, such as comparative whole chromosome painting, to clarify this highly diversified scenario. Here, we isolated probes from the X1 (a 5S rDNA carrier) and the X2 (a 45S rDNA carrier) chromosomes of Harttia punctata, which displays an X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y multiple sex chromosome system. Those probes were applied in other Harttia species to evidence homeologous chromosome blocks. The resulting data reinforce that translocation events played a role in the origin of the X1X2Y sex chromosome system in H. punctata. The repositioning of homologous chromosomal blocks carrying rDNA sites among ten Harttia species has also been demonstrated. Anchored to phylogenetic data it was possible to evidence some events of the karyotype diversification of the studied species and to prove an independent origin for the two types of multiple sex chromosomes, XX/XY1Y2 and X1X1X2X2/X1X2Y, that occur in Harttia species. The results point to evolutionary breakpoint regions in the genomes within or adjacent to rDNA sites that were widely reused in Harttia chromosome remodeling.

Molecular and morphological diversity in species of Kronichthys (Teleostei, Loricariidae) from Atlantic coastal rivers of Brazil

The Neotropical catfish genus Kronichthys contains three species distributed along coastal rivers of southern and southeastern Brazil. Although phylogenetic hypotheses are available, the molecular and morphological diversity and species boundaries within the genus remain unexplored. In this study, the authors generated mitochondrial data for 90 specimens combined with morphometric and meristic data to investigate species diversity, species boundaries and putative morphological signatures in Kronichthys. Phylogenetic and species delimitation results clearly show the presence of four genetic lineages, three within Kronichthys heylandi along the coast from Rio de Janeiro to southern São Paulo and a single lineage encompassing both the nominal species Kronichthys lacerta and Kronichthys subteres from the Ribeira de Iguape basin to Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. Nonetheless, morphological data show overlapped ranges in morphometrics and a definition of only two morphotypes, with clear phenotypic differences in the teeth number: K. heylandi differs from K. subteres + K. lacerta by the higher number of premaxillary teeth (30-52 vs. 19-28) and higher number of dentary teeth (28-54 vs. 17-28). Headwater captures and connections of paleodrainages because of sea-level fluctuations represent the two major biogeographic processes promoting species diversification and lineage dispersal of Kronichthys in the Atlantic coastal range of Brazil.

Detection of natural hybridization and delimitation of two closely related operational taxonomic units of the Astyanax fasciatus (Teleostei: Characidae) complex through integrative approaches

Astyanax is a species-rich, non-monophyletic genus composed of several supraspecific taxa that are poorly delimited. The Astyanax fasciatus complex is one of these taxa and shows high taxonomic complexity. To elucidate the evolutionary history of the A. fasciatus complex from southern South America, we conducted cytogenetic, molecular and morphological analyses in specimens from the Uruguay River basin. Cytogenetic characters demonstrated two closely related operational taxonomic units: Astyanax sp. 1 (8m+22sm+10st+6a), Astyanax sp. 2 (8m+24sm+10st+4a) and natural hybrids (8m+23sm+8st+5a). 5S ribosomal DNA sites were found in two pairs of m chromosomes and one pair of a chromosomes in Astyanax sp. 1, two pairs of a chromosomes and one pair of m chromosomes in Astyanax sp. 2, and three m chromosomes and three a chromosomes in hybrids. As51 sites were found in three chromosomes in Astyanax sp. 1 and in five chromosomes in Astyanax sp. 2 and hybrids. Mitochondrial sequence analyses did not separate the two units and hybrids. Morphological analyses revealed differences between Astyanax sp. 2 and hybrids. This secondary contact with gene flow between lineages that diverged long ago might slow or reverse the differentiation/speciation process. These results help us to understand the evolutionary history of this highly complex clade of Astyanax in southern South America.

Chromosome Mapping of H1 and H4 Histones in Parodontidae (Actinopterygii: Characiformes): Dispersed and/or Co-Opted Transposable Elements?

The karyotypes of the family Parodontidae consist of 2n = 54 chromosomes. The main chromosomal evolutionary changes of its species are attributed to chromosome rearrangements in repetitive DNA regions in their genomes. Physical mapping of the H1 and H4 histones was performed in 7 Parodontidae species to analyze the chromosome rearrangements involved in karyotype diversification in the group. In parallel, the observation of a partial sequence of an endogenous retrovirus (ERV) retrotransposon in the H1 histone sequence was evaluated to verify molecular co-option of the transposable elements (TEs) and to assess paralogous sequence dispersion in the karyotypes. Six of the studied species had an interstitial histone gene cluster in the short arm of the autosomal pair 13. Besides this interstitial cluster, in Apareiodon davisi, a probable further site was detected in the terminal region of the long arm in the same chromosome pair. The H1/H4 clusters in Parodon cf. pongoensis were located in the smallest chromosomes (pair 20). In addition, scattered H1 signals were observed on the chromosomes in all species. The H1 sequence showed an ERV in the open reading frame (ORF), and the scattered H1 signals on the chromosomes were attributed to the ERV's location. The H4 sequence had no similarity to the TEs and displayed no dispersed signals. Furthermore, the degeneration of the inner ERV in the H1 sequence (which overlapped a stretch of the H1 ORF) was discussed regarding the likelihood of molecular co-option of this retroelement in histone gene function in Parodontidae.

Accumulation of Transposable Elements in Autosomes and Giant Sex Chromosomes of Omophoita (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae)

Coleoptera is the most diverse order among insects, and comparative molecular cytogenetic studies in this group are lacking. The species of Omophoita (Oedionychina) possess a karyotype of 2n = 22 = 10II+X+Y. They are interesting models for evolutionary cytogenetic studies due to giant sex chromosomes which are asynaptic during meiosis. Transposable elements (TEs) confer plasticity and mobility to genomes and are considered hotspots for DNA double-strand breaks and chromosomal rearrangements. The objective of the present study was to verify the role of TEs in the karyotype and in the size expansion of the giant sex chromosomes in Omophoita. Thus, different TEs were characterized in the Omophoita genome and localized in the chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The DNA sequencing data revealed identity with TE families Tc1/Mariner and RTE/L1-56_XT. FISH showed signals of all TEs in the karyotypes and a high accumulation in the sex chromosomes of the 3 Omophoita species analyzed. These data suggest that the genome size expansion and the origin of the giant sex chromosomes of Omophoita are due to an intensive genomic invasion of TEs, as those characterized here as Tc1/Mariner-Ooc and RTE-Ooc. Differences in the chromosomal location of the TEs among the 3 species indicate that they have participated in the karyotype differentiation in Omophoita.

The karyotypes and evolution of ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes in the genus Characidium (Characiformes, Crenuchidae)

Available data on cytotaxonomy of the genus Characidium Reinhardt, 1867, which contains the greatest number of species in the Characidiinae (Crenuchidae), with 64 species widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region, were summarized and reviewed. Most Characidium species have uniform diploid chromosome number (2n) = 50 and karyotype with 32 metacentric (m) and 18 submetacentric (sm) chromosomes. The maintenance of the 2n and karyotypic formula in Characidium implies that their genomes did not experience large chromosomal rearrangements during species diversification. In contrast, the internal chromosomal organization shows a dynamic differentiation among their genomes. Available data indicated the role of repeated DNA sequences in the chromosomal constitution of the Characidium species, particularly, in sex chromosome differentiation. Karyotypes of the most Characidium species exhibit a heteromorphic ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system. The W chromosome is characterized by high rates of repetitive DNA accumulation, including satellite, microsatellite, and transposable elements (TEs), with a varied degree of diversification among species. In the current review, the main Characidium cytogenetic data are presented, highlighting the major features of its karyotype and sex chromosome evolution. Despite the conserved karyotypic macrostructure with prevalent 2n = 50 chromosomes in Characidium, herein we grouped the main cytogenetic information which led to chromosomal diversification in this Neotropical fish group.

Dispersion of transposable elements and multigene families: Microstructural variation in Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) genomes

Eukaryotic genomes consist of several repetitive DNAs, including dispersed DNA sequences that move between chromosome sites, tandem repeats of DNA sequences, and multigene families. In this study, repeated sequences isolated from the genome of Characidium gomesi were analyzed and mapped to chromosomes in Characidium zebra and specimens from two populations of C. gomesi. The sequences were transposable elements (TEs) named retroelement of Xiphophorus (Rex); multigene families of U2 small nuclear RNA (U2 snRNA); and histones H1, H3, and H4. Sequence analyses revealed that U2 snRNA contains a major portion corresponding to the Tx1-type non-LTR retrotransposon Keno, the preferential insertion sites of which are U2 snRNA sequences. All histone sequences were found to be associated with TEs. In situ localization revealed that these DNA sequences are dispersed throughout the autosomes of the species, but they are not involved in differentiation of the specific region of the W sex chromosome in C. gomesi. We discuss mechanisms of TE invasion into multigene families that lead to microstructural variation in Characidium genomes.

Dynamics of tandemly repeated DNA sequences during evolution of diploid and tetraploid botiid loaches (Teleostei: Cobitoidea: Botiidae)

Polyploidization has played an important role in the evolution of vertebrates, particularly at the base of Teleostei-an enormously successful ray-finned fish group with additional genome doublings on lower taxonomic levels. The investigation of post-polyploid genome dynamics might provide important clues about the evolution and ecology of respective species and can help to decipher the role of polyploidy per se on speciation. Few studies have attempted to investigate the dynamics of repetitive DNA sequences in the post-polyploid genome using molecular cytogenetic tools in fishes, though recent efforts demonstrated their usefulness. The demonstrably monophyletic freshwater loach family Botiidae, branching to evolutionary diploid and tetraploid lineages separated >25 Mya, offers a suited model group for comparing the long-term repetitive DNA evolution. For this, we integrated phylogenetic analyses with cytogenetical survey involving Giemsa- and Chromomycin A3 (CMA3)/DAPI stainings and fluorescence in situ hybridization with 5S/45S rDNA, U2 snDNA and telomeric probes in representative sample of 12 botiid species. The karyotypes of all diploids were composed of 2n = 50 chromosomes, while majority of tetraploids had 2n = 4x = 100, with only subtle interspecific karyotype differences. The exceptional karyotype of Botia dario (2n = 4x = 96) suggested centric fusions behind the 2n reduction. Variable patterns of FISH signals revealed cases of intraspecific polymorphisms, rDNA amplification, variable degree of correspondence with CMA3+ sites and almost no phylogenetic signal. In tetraploids, either additivity or loci gain/loss was recorded. Despite absence of classical interstitial telomeric sites, large blocks of interspersed rDNA/telomeric regions were found in diploids only. We uncovered different molecular drives of studied repetitive DNA classes within botiid genomes as well as the advanced stage of the re-diploidization process in tetraploids. Our results may contribute to link genomic approach with molecular cytogenetic analyses in addressing the origin and mechanism of this polyploidization event.

Karyotype analysis of three species of Corydoras (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) from southern Brazil: rearranged karyotypes and cytotaxonomy

ABSTRACT The genus Corydoras comprises a diversity of species with different diploid numbers. We compared cytogenetic data among Corydoras species from different rivers of the Ponta Grossa Arch region in southern Brazil. Corydoras ehrhardti and C. aff. paleatus have a similar karyotype formula and the same diploid number (2n = 44). Corydoras lacrimostigmata has a higher diploid number, with 2n = 58 chromosomes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization using 5S and 18S ribosomal DNA probes suggests that these ribosomal DNA sequences are involved in chromosomal rearrangements in these Corydoras species. 5S rDNA is a chromosomal marker that is considered to be unique to the species analyzed in this study. Signals of interstitial telomeric sites are seen in a chromosome pair of C. lacrimostigmata, suggesting chromosomal rearrangements via fusions or translocations. This study revealed that C. ehrhardti and C. aff. paleatus have exclusive chromosomal markers associated with chromosome differentiation, which we speculate to prevent genetic introgression.

Chromosomal Spreading of Microsatellites and (TTAGGG)n Sequences in the Characidium zebra and C. gomesi Genomes (Characiformes: Crenuchidae)

Sex chromosome evolution involves the accumulation of repeat sequences such as multigenic families, noncoding repetitive DNA (satellite, minisatellite, and microsatellite), and mobile elements such as transposons and retrotransposons. Most species of Characidium exhibit heteromorphic ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes; the W is characterized by an intense accumulation of repetitive DNA including dispersed satellite DNA sequences and transposable elements. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution pattern of 18 different tandem repeats, including (GATA)n and (TTAGGG)n, in the genomes of C. zebra and C. gomesi, especially in the C. gomesi W chromosome. In the C. gomesi W chromosome, weak signals were seen for (CAA)10, (CAC)10, (CAT)10, (CGG)10, (GAC)10, and (CA)15 probes. (GA)15 and (TA)15 hybridized to the autosomes but not to the W chromosome. The (GATA)n probe hybridized to the short arms of the W chromosome as well as the (CG)15 probe. The (GATA)n repeat is known to be a protein-binding motif. GATA-binding proteins are necessary for the decondensation of heterochromatic regions that hold coding genes, especially in some heteromorphic sex chromosomes that may keep genes related to oocyte development. The (TAA)10 repeat is accumulated in the entire W chromosome, and this microsatellite accumulation is probably involved in the sex chromosome differentiation process and crossover suppression in C. gomesi. These additional data on the W chromosome DNA composition help to explain the evolution of sex chromosomes in Characidium.

Repetitive DNA Sequences and Evolution of ZZ/ZW Sex Chromosomes in Characidium (Teleostei: Characiformes)

Characidium constitutes an interesting model for cytogenetic studies, since a large degree of karyotype variation has been detected in this group, like the presence/absence of sex and supernumerary chromosomes and variable distribution of repetitive sequences in different species/populations. In this study, we performed a comparative cytogenetic analysis in 13 Characidium species collected at different South American river basins in order to investigate the karyotype diversification in this group. Chromosome analyses involved the karyotype characterization, cytogenetic mapping of repetitive DNA sequences and cross-species chromosome painting using a W-specific probe obtained in a previous study from Characidium gomesi. Our results evidenced a conserved diploid chromosome number of 2n = 50, and almost all the species exhibited homeologous ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes in different stages of differentiation, except C. cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante and C. stigmosum. Notably, some ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes showed 5S and/or 18S rDNA clusters, while no U2 snDNA sites could be detected in the sex chromosomes, being restricted to a single chromosome pair in almost all the analyzed species. In addition, the species Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali showed B chromosomes with an inter-individual variation of 1 to 4 supernumerary chromosomes per cell. Notably, these B chromosomes share sequences with the W-specific probe, providing insights about their origin. Results presented here further confirm the extensive karyotype diversity within Characidium in contrast with a conserved diploid chromosome number. Such chromosome differences seem to constitute a significant reproductive barrier, since several sympatric Characidium species had been described during the last few years and no interespecific hybrids were found.

Chromosomal Mapping of Repetitive DNAs in Characidium (Teleostei, Characiformes): Genomic Organization and Diversification of ZW Sex Chromosomes

The speciose neotropical genus Characidium has proven to be a good model for cytogenetic exploration. Representatives of this genus often have a conserved diploid chromosome number; some species exhibit a highly differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system, while others do not show any sex-related chromosome heteromorphism. In this study, chromosome painting using a W-specific probe and comparative chromosome mapping of repetitive sequences, including ribosomal clusters and 4 microsatellite motifs - (CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15, and (TTA)10 -, were performed in 6 Characidium species, 5 of which possessed a heteromorphic ZW sex chromosome system. The W-specific probe showed hybridization signals on the W chromosome of all analyzed species, indicating homology among the W chromosomes. Remarkably, a single major rDNA-bearing chromosome pair was found in all species. The 18S rDNA localized to the sex chromosomes in C. lanei, C. timbuiense and C. pterostictum, while the major rDNA localized to one autosome pair in C. vidali and C. gomesi. In contrast, the number of 5S rDNA-bearing chromosomes varied. Notably, minor ribosomal clusters were identified in the W chromosome of C. vidali. Microsatellites were widely distributed across almost all chromosomes of the karyotypes, with a greater accumulation in the subtelomeric regions. However, clear differences in the abundance of each motif were detected in each species. In addition, the Z and W chromosomes showed the differential accumulation of distinct motifs. Our results revealed variability in the distribution of repetitive DNA sequences and their possible association with sex chromosome diversification in Characidium species.

Spreading of heterochromatin and karyotype differentiation in two Tropidacris Scudder, 1869 species (Orthoptera, Romaleidae)

Tropidacris Scudder, 1869 is a genus widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region where speciation was probably promoted by forest reduction during the glacial and interglacial periods. There are no cytogenetic studies of Tropidacris, and information allowing inference or confirmation of the evolutionary events involved in speciation within the group is insufficient. In this paper, we used cytogenetic markers in two species, Tropidacriscollaris (Stoll, 1813) and Tropidacriscristatagrandis (Thunberg, 1824), collected in different Brazilian biomes. Both species exhibited 2n=24,XX for females and 2n=23,X0 for males. All chromosomes were acrocentric. There were some differences in the karyotype macrostructure, e.g. in the chromosome size. A wide interspecific variation in the chromosome banding (C-banding and CMA3/DAPI staining) indicated strong differences in the distribution of repetitive DNA sequences. Specifically, Tropidacriscristatagrandis had a higher number of bands in relation to Tropidacriscollaris. FISH with 18S rDNA revealed two markings coinciding with the NORs in both species. However, two analyzed samples of Tropidacriscollaris revealed a heterozygous condition for the rDNA site of S10 pair. In Tropidacriscollaris, the histone H3 genes were distributed on three chromosome pairs, whereas in Tropidacriscristatagrandis, these genes were observed on 14 autosomes and on the X chromosome, always in terminal regions. Our results demonstrate that, although the chromosome number and morphology are conserved in the genus, Tropidacriscristatagrandis substantially differs from Tropidacriscollaris in terms of the distribution of repetitive sequences. The devastation and fragmentation of the Brazilian rainforest may have led to isolation between these species, and the spreading of these repetitive sequences could contribute to speciation within the genus.

Construction and characterization of a repetitive DNA library in Parodontidae (Atinopterygii:Characiformes): a genomic and evolutionary approach to the degeneration of the w sex cromosome

Repetitive DNA sequences, including tandem and dispersed repeats, comprise a large portion of eukaryotic genomes and are important for gene regulation, sex chromosome differentiation, and karyotype evolution. In Parodontidae, only the repetitive DNAs WAp and pPh2004 and rDNAs were previously studied using fluorescence in situ hybridization. This study aimed to build a library of repetitive DNA in Parodontidae. We isolated 40 clones using Cot-1; 17 of these clones exhibited similarity to repetitive DNA sequences, including satellites, minisatellites, microsatellites, and class I and class II transposable elements (TEs), from Danio rerio and other organisms. The physical mapping of the clones to chromosomes revealed the presence of a satellite DNA, a Helitron element, and degenerate short interspersed element (SINE), long interspersed element (LINE), and tc1-mariner elements on the sex chromosomes. Some clones exhibited dispersed signals; other sequences were not detected. The 5S rDNA was detected on an autosomal pair. These elements likely function in the molecular degeneration of the W chromosome in Parodontidae. Thus, the location of these elements on the chromosomes is important for understanding the function of these repetitive DNAs and for integrative studies with genome sequencing. The presented data demonstrate that an intensive invasion of TEs occurred during W sex chromosome differentiation in the Parodontidae.

Extensive spreading of interstitial telomeric sites on the chromosomes of Characidium (Teleostei, Characiformes)

Characidium comprises several species of small freshwater fish that display conserved diploid chromosome numbers and karyotypic formulae. In this study, a comparative cytogenetic analysis using telomeric DNA probes was carried out in nine species of Characidium; a molecular phylogenetic analysis with mitochondrial DNA was also performed in order to investigate the direction of the evolutionary chromosome changes observed here. Our results showed the existence of species with several and variable interstitial telomeric sites (ITSs), with other species showing only terminal signals in their chromosomes. Molecular phylogenetic data suggested that these ITSs emerged once in the evolutionary history of Characidium and were later differentially spread in distinct species/populations of this clade. Additionally, the origin of an exclusive acrocentric pair found in C. pterostictum, C. serrano and C. timbuiense was also investigated, revealing that this pair possibly had a common origin to these species. These results evidence the occurrence of intense and continuous genomic changes among species of Characidium.

Single origin of sex chromosomes and multiple origins of B chromosomes in fish genus Characidium

Chromosome painting with DNA probes obtained from supernumerary (B) and sex chromosomes in three species of fish genus Characidium (C. gomesi, C. pterostictum and C. oiticicai) showed a close resemblance in repetitive DNA content between B and sex chromosomes in C. gomesi and C. pterostictum. This suggests an intraspecific origin for B chromosomes in these two species, probably deriving from sex chromosomes. In C. oiticicai, however, a DNA probe obtained from its B chromosome hybridized with the B but not with the A chromosomes, suggesting that the B chromosome in this species could have arisen interspecifically, although this hypothesis needs further investigation. A molecular phylogenetic analysis performed on nine Characidium species, with two mtDNA genes, showed that the presence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes in these species is a derived condition, and that their origin could have been unique, a conclusion also supported by interspecific chromosome painting with a CgW probe derived from the W chromosome in C. gomesi. Summing up, our results indicate that whereas heteromorphic sex chromosomes in the genus Characidium appear to have had a common and unique origin, B chromosomes may have had independent origins in different species. Our results also show that molecular phylogenetic analysis is an excellent complement for cytogenetic studies by unveiling the direction of evolutionary chromosome changes.