Chromosome polymorphism of heterochromatin and nucleolar regions in two populations of the fish Astyanax bockmanni (Teleostei: Characiformes)

Chromosomal analysis of two Acanthodoras species (Doradidae, Siluriformes): Insights into the oldest thorny catfish clade and its karyotype evolution

The Doradidae fishes constitute one of the most diverse groups of Neotropical freshwater environments. Acanthodoradinae is the oldest lineage and the sister group to all other thorny catfishes, and it includes only the genus Acanthodoras. The diversity of Acanthodoras remains underestimated, and the use of complementary approaches, including genetic studies, is an important step to better characterize this diversity and the relationships among the species within the genus. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive analysis using conventional cytogenetic techniques and physical mapping of three multigene families (18S and 5S ribosomal DNA [rDNA], U2 small nuclear DNA [snDNA]) and four microsatellite motifs, namely (AC)n, (AT)n, (GA)n, and (GATA)n, in two sympatric species from the Negro River: Acanthodoras cataphractus and Acanthodoras cf. polygrammus. We found significant differences in constitutive heterochromatin (CH) content, distribution of the microsatellite (AT)n, and the number of 5S rDNA and U2 snDNA sites. These differences may result from chromosome rearrangements and repetitive DNA dispersal mechanisms. Furthermore, the characterization of the diploid number (2n) of these Acanthodoras species enables us to propose 2n = 58 chromosomes as the plesiomorphic 2n state in Doradidae based on ancestral state reconstruction. Acanthodoradinae is the oldest lineage of the thorny catfishes, and knowledge about its cytogenetic patterns is crucial for disentangling the karyotype evolution of the whole group. Thus, this study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms behind chromosome diversification of Doradidae and highlights the importance of Acanthodoradinae in the evolutionary history of thorny catfishes.

Species delimitation in Psalidodon fasciatus (Cuvier, 1819) complex (Teleostei: Characidae) from three hydrographic basins

Psalidodon fasciatus is a complex of several fish species widely distributed in Brazilian hydrographic systems that share morphological characteristics and show a high taxonomic complexity and genetic variability. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses were carried out in populations from three Brazilian hydrographic basins, aiming to contribute to systematic and biogeographical knowledge of the group. The chromosomal markers verified the occurrence of species-specific characters and indicated the existence of six distinct operational taxonomic units (OTUs): P. fasciatus (São Francisco River basin), Psalidodon sp. 1, Psalidodon sp. 2 and Psalidodon eigenmanniorum (Uruguay River basin); and Psalidodon sp. 3 and Psalidodon sp. 4 (Paraná River basin). The chromosomal markers showed more similarities among species from the Uruguay River and São Francisco River basins. DNA barcoding analyses (assemble species by automatic partitioning, neighbour-joining, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony) indicated the existence of at least three distinct OTUs. The chromosomal evolution rates were demonstrated to be higher than the molecular evolution rates, reinforcing the importance of using chromosomal markers to delimit OTUs in integrative taxonomy studies. These results suggest that the São Francisco River Basin population (the type locality) should be considered as true P. fasciatus, and the others, until now treated as Psalidodon aff. fasciatus, are cryptic species.

Silencing of Transposable Elements Mediated by 5-mC and Compensation of the Heterochromatin Content by Presence of B Chromosomes in Astyanax scabripinnis

The way in which transcriptional activity overcomes the physical DNA structure and gene regulation mechanisms involves complex processes that are not yet fully understood. Modifications in the cytosine-guanine sequence of DNA by 5-mC are preferentially located in heterochromatic regions and are related to gene silencing. Herein, we investigate evidence of epigenetic regulation related to the B chromosome model and transposable elements in A. scabripinnis. Indirect immunofluorescence using anti-5-mC to mark methylated regions was employed along with quantitative ELISA to determine the total genomic DNA methylation level. 5-mC signals were dispersed in the chromosomes of both females and males, with preferential accumulation in the B chromosome. In addition to the heterochromatic methylated regions, our results suggest that methylation is associated with transposable elements (LINE and Tc1-Mariner). Heterochromatin content was measured based on the C-band length in relation to the size of chromosome 1. The B chromosome in A. scabripinnis comprises heterochromatin located in the pericentromeric region of both arms of this isochromosome. In this context, individuals with B chromosomes should have an increased heterochromatin content when compared to individuals that do not. Although, both heterochromatin content and genome methylation showed no significant differences between sexes or in relation to the occurrence of B chromosomes. Our evidence suggests that the B chromosome can have a compensation effect on the heterochromatin content and that methylation possibly operates to silence TEs in A. scabripinnis. This represents a sui generis compensation and gene activity buffering mechanism.

Cytogenetic markers as a tool for characterization of hybrids of Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 and Hyphessobrycon Eigenmann, 1907

Astyanax Baird et Girard, 1854, is one of the largest genera in the family Characidae and comprises 177 valid species. This genus has been the focus of cytogenetic studies primarily owing to the presence of B chromosomes and high karyotypic diversity among different populations. The intense genetic variability in Astyanax is one of the factors responsible for the occurrence of species complexes, which are groups (1) with certain difficulties in establishing common genetic pools or (2) belonging to different cryptic species. To evaluate cytogenetic marker inheritance and the possibility of the identification of these hybrids, this study aimed to describe cytogenetic hybrids from three strains of species of the genera Astyanax and Hyphessobrycon Eigenmann, 1908. A. lacustris Lütken, 1875, A. schubarti Britski, 1964, A. fasciatus Cuvier, 1819, and H. anisitsi Eigenmann, 1907 were used to generate three hybrid lineages. The diploid number, heterochromatin sites, and ribosomal genes (18S and 5S rDNA) of the parental strains and the hybrids were analyzed. The results indicated that the three hybrid lineages had cytogenetic markers of both parents, presenting Mendelian inheritance. However, differences in distribution of heterochromatic blocks were observed between the hybrids and the parent strains. Our results allowed the identification of the hybrid strains based on the cytogenetic markers applied, reinforcing the efficiency of cytogenetic markers as tools for identification and indicating that such events may increase the karyotypic diversity in the genera Astyanax and Hyphessobrycon.

Taxonomic Diversity Not Associated with Gross Karyotype Differentiation: The Case of Bighead Carps, Genus Hypophthalmichthys (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Xenocyprididae)

The bighead carps of the genus Hypophthalmichthys (H. molitrix and H. nobilis) are important aquaculture species. They were subjected to extensive multidisciplinary research, but with cytogenetics confined to conventional protocols only. Here, we employed Giemsa-/C-/CMA3- stainings and chromosomal mapping of multigene families and telomeric repeats. Both species shared (i) a diploid chromosome number 2n = 48 and the karyotype structure, (ii) low amount of constitutive heterochromatin, (iii) the absence of interstitial telomeric sites (ITSs), (iv) a single pair of 5S rDNA loci adjacent to one major rDNA cluster, and (v) a single pair of co-localized U1/U2 snDNA tandem repeats. Both species, on the other hand, differed in (i) the presence/absence of remarkable interstitial block of constitutive heterochromatin on the largest acrocentric pair 11 and (ii) the number of major (CMA3-positive) rDNA sites. Additionally, we applied here, for the first time, the conventional cytogenetics in H. harmandi, a species considered extinct in the wild and/or extensively cross-hybridized with H. molitrix. Its 2n and karyotype description match those found in the previous two species, while silver staining showed differences in distribution of major rDNA. The bighead carps thus represent another case of taxonomic diversity not associated with gross karyotype differentiation, where 2n and karyotype structure cannot help in distinguishing between genomes of closely related species. On the other hand, we demonstrated that two cytogenetic characters (distribution of constitutive heterochromatin and major rDNA) may be useful for diagnosis of pure species. The universality of these markers must be further verified by analyzing other pure populations of bighead carps.

Trends in Karyotype Evolution in Astyanax (Teleostei, Characiformes, Characidae): Insights From Molecular Data

The study of patterns and evolutionary processes in neotropical fish is not always an easy task due the wide distribution of major fish groups in large and extensive river basins. Thus, it is not always possible to detect or correlate possible effects of chromosome rearrangements in the evolution of biodiversity. In the Astyanax genus, chromosome data obtained since the 1970s have shown evidence of cryptic species, karyotypic plasticity, supernumerary chromosomes, triploidies, and minor chromosomal rearrangements. In the present work, we map and discuss the main chromosomal events compatible with the molecular evolution of the genus Astyanax (Characiformes, Characidae) using mitochondrial DNA sequence data, in the search for major chromosome evolutionary trends within this taxon.

Organization and Chromosomal Distribution of Histone Genes and Transposable Rex Elements in the Genome of Astyanax bockmanni (Teleostei, Characiformes)

An important feature of eukaryotic organisms is the number of different repetitive DNA sequences in their genome, a feature not observed in prokaryotes. These sequences are considered to be important components for understanding evolutionary mechanisms and the karyotypic differentiation processes. Thus, we aimed to physically map the histone genes and transposable elements of the Rex family in 6 fish populations of Astyanax bockmanni. FISH results using a histone H1 gene probe showed fluorescent clusters in 2 chromosome pairs in all 6 samples analyzed. In contrast, FISH with a histone H3 probe showed conspicuous blocks in 4 chromosomes in 5 of the 6 populations analyzed. The sixth population revealed 7 chromosomes marked with this probe. Probes for the transposable elements Rex1 and Rex6 showed small sites dispersed on most chromosomes of the 6 populations, and the Rex3 element is located in a big block concentrated in only 1 acrocentric chromosome of 2 populations. As for the other populations, a Rex3 probe showed large blocks in more than 1 chromosome. Fish from Alambari and Campo Novo Stream have Rex3 elements dispersed along most of the chromosomes. Additionally, the conspicuous signals of Rex1, Rex3, and Rex6 were identified in the acrocentric B microchromosome of A. bockmanni found only in individuals of the Alambari River. Thus, we believe that different mechanisms drive the spread of repetitive sequences among the populations analyzed, which appear to be organized differently in the genome of A. bockmanni. The presence of transposable elements in the B chromosome also suggests that these sequences could play a role in the origin and maintenance of the supernumerary element in the genome of this species.

Chromosomal Mapping of Repetitive DNA Sequences in Five Species of Astyanax (Characiformes, Characidae) Reveals Independent Location of U1 and U2 snRNA Sites and Association of U1 snRNA and 5S rDNA

Astyanax is a genus of Characidae fishes currently composed of 155 valid species. Previous cytogenetic studies revealed high chromosomal diversification among them, and several studies have been performed using traditional cytogenetic techniques to investigate karyotypes and chromosomal locations of 18S and 5S rDNA genes. However, only a few studies are currently available about other repetitive sequences. Here, the chromosomal location of small nuclear RNA genes, identified as U1 and U2 snRNA clusters, was established and compared to the distribution of 5S rDNA and histone clusters in 5 Astyanax species (A. paranae, A. fasciatus, A. bockmanni, A. altiparanae, and A. jordani) using FISH. The cytogenetic mapping of U1 and U2 snRNA demonstrated a conserved pattern in the number of sites per genome independent of the location in Astyanax species. The location of the U1 snRNA gene was frequently associated with 5S rDNA sequences, indicating a possible interaction between the distinct repetitive DNA families. Finally, comparisons involving the location of U1 and U2 snRNA clusters in the chromosomes of Astyanax species revealed a very diverse pattern, suggesting that many rearrangements have occurred during the diversification process of this group.

New insights into karyotypic relationships among populations of Astyanax bockmanni (Teleostei, Characiformes) of different watersheds

The fish constitute about 50% of all vertebrates, including a wide morphological and biological diversity, where the genus Astyanax is the most common and diverse, as described in virtually all freshwater environments. By occupying a basal position in the phylogeny of vertebrates, fish are an extremely favorable group for cytogenetic and evolutionary studies. The karyotype found in genus Astyanax diversity may involve a number of polymorphisms, which may be related to ploidy and karyotypic macrostructure, presence of B chromosomes, heterochromatin polymorphisms, and location of ribosomal genes. Nevertheless, the relationship between populations of this species is still poorly studied. Thus, the present work aimed to investigate karyotype variation, chromosomal relationships, and the behavior of 5S and 18S ribosomal genes in six populations of Astyanax bockmanni. The results confirmed the diploid number of 50 chromosomes in all the populations sampled, with the occurrence of one supernumerary chromosome in just one of them. In addition, all populations showed divergent patterns of constitutive heterochromatin and repetitive nucleolar sites. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique using 5S and 18S rDNA probes revealed distinct patterns of distribution for these conserved genes, while 5S rDNA genes were found located in two chromosome pairs, the 18S genes showed multiple marks dispersed in the genome characterizing an inter and intraindividual polymorphic behavior, as previously reported to occur with the utilization of the Ag-NOR technique. Thus, besides minor modifications observed in chromosome morphology, the populations of A. bockmanni analyzed revealed a preserved macrostructural feature, especially concerning to the diploid number; on the other hand, differences in microstructural characteristics indicated by the nucleolus organizer region (NOR) location, constitutive heterochromatin patterns, and distribution of ribosomal genes along the genome were clearly evident in the populations from different river basins, even located at short distances.

Identification and chromosome mapping of repetitive elements in the Astyanax scabripinnis (Teleostei: Characidae) species complex

Most part of the eukaryotic genome is composed of repeated sequences or multiple copies of DNA, which were considered as "junk DNA", and may be associated to the heterochromatin. In this study, three populations of Astyanax aff. scabripinnis from Brazilian rivers of Guaratinguetá and Pindamonhangaba (São Paulo) and a population from Maringá (Paraná) were analyzed concerning the localization of the nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs), the As51 satellite DNA, the 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA), and the 5S rDNA. Repeated sequences were also isolated and identified by the Cot - 1 method, which indicated similarity (90%) with the LINE UnaL2 retrotransposon. The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed the retrotransposon dispersed and more concentrated markers in centromeric and telomeric chromosomal regions. These sequences were co-localized and interspaced with 18S and 5S rDNA and As51, confirmed by fiber-FISH essay. The B chromosome found in these populations pointed to a conspicuous hybridization with LINE probe, which is also co-located in As51 sequences. The NORs were active at unique sites of a homologous pair in the three populations. There were no evidences that transposable elements and repetitive DNA had influence in the transcriptional regulation of ribosomal genes in our analyses.

Delimiting the origin of a B chromosome by FISH mapping, chromosome painting and DNA sequence analysis in Astyanax paranae (Teleostei, Characiformes)

Supernumerary (B) chromosomes have been shown to contain a wide variety of repetitive sequences. For this reason, fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) is a useful tool for ascertaining the origin of these genomic elements, especially when combined with painting from microdissected B chromosomes. In order to investigate the origin of B chromosomes in the fish species Astyanax paranae, these two approaches were used along with PCR amplification of specific DNA sequences obtained from the B chromosomes and its comparison with those residing in the A chromosomes. Remarkably, chromosome painting with the one-arm metacentric B chromosome probe showed hybridization signals on entire B chromosome, while FISH mapping revealed the presence of H1 histone and 18S rDNA genes symmetrically placed in both arms of the B chromosome. These results support the hypothesis that the B chromosome of A. paranae is an isochromosome. Additionally, the chromosome pairs Nos. 2 or 23 are considered the possible B chromosome ancestors since both contain syntenic H1 and 18S rRNA sequences. The analysis of DNA sequence fragments of the histone and rRNA genes obtained from the microdissected B chromosomes showed high similarity with those obtained from 0B individuals, which supports the intraspecific origin of B chromosomes in A. paranae. Finally, the population hereby analysed showed a female-biased B chromosome presence suggesting that B chromosomes in this species could influence sex determinism.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis

Classical and molecular cytogenetic (18S rDNA, telomeric sequence, and LINE-1 retrotransposon probes) studies were carried out to contribute to an understanding of the organization of repeated DNA elements in the Amazon River dolphin (boto, Inia geoffrensis). Twenty-seven specimens were examined, each presenting 2n = 44 chromosomes, the karyotype formula 12m + 14sm + 6st + 10t + XX/XY, and fundamental number (FN) = 74. C-positive heterochromatin was observed in terminal and interstitial positions, with the occurrence of polymorphism. Interstitial telomeric sequences were not observed. The nucleolar organizer region (NOR) was located at a single site on a smallest autosomal pair. LINE-1 was preferentially distributed in the euchromatin regions, with the greatest accumulation on the X chromosome. Although the karyotype structure in cetaceans is considered to be conserved, the boto karyotype demonstrated significant variations in its formula, heterochromatin distribution, and the location of the NOR compared to other cetacean species. These results contribute to knowledge of the chromosome organization in boto and to a better understanding of karyoevolution in cetaceans.