Karyotypic characterization of Centromochlus schultzi Rössel 1962 (Auchenipteridae, Centromochlinae) from the Xingu River basin: New inferences on chromosomal evolution in Centromochlus

Centromochlinae is a widely diverse subfamily with more than 50 species and several taxonomic conflicts due to morphological similarity between Tatia and Centromochlus species. However, cytogenetic studies on this group have been limited to only four species so far. Therefore, here we present the karyotype of Centromochlus schultzi from the Xingu River in Brazil using classic cytogenetic techniques, physical mapping of the 5S and 18S rDNAs, and telomeric sequences (TTAGGG)n. The species had 58 chromosomes, simple NORs and 18S rDNA sites. Heterochromatic regions were detected on the terminal position of most chromosomes, including pericentromeric and centromeric blocks that correspond to interstitial telomeric sites. The 5S rDNA had multiple sites, including a synteny with the 18S rDNA in the pair 24st, which is an ancestral feature for Doradidae, sister group of Auchenipteridae, but appears to be a homoplastic trait in this species. So far, C. schultzi is only the second species within Centromochlus to be karyotyped, but it has already presented characteristics with great potential to assist in future discussions on taxonomic issues in the subfamily Centromochlinae, including the first synteny between rDNAs in Auchenipteridae and also the presence of heterochromatic ITSs that could represent remnants of ancient chromosomal fusions.

Are scattered microsatellites weak chromosomal markers? Guided mapping reveals new insights into Trachelyopterus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) diversity

The scattered distribution pattern of microsatellites is a challenging problem in fish cytogenetics. This type of array hinders the identification of useful patterns and the comparison between species, often resulting in over-limited interpretations that only label it as "scattered" or "widely distributed". However, several studies have shown that the distribution pattern of microsatellites is non-random. Thus, here we tested whether a scattered microsatellite could have distinct distribution patterns on homeologous chromosomes of closely related species. The clustered sites of 18S and 5S rDNA, U2 snRNA and H3/H4 histone genes were used as a guide to compare the (GATA)n microsatellite distribution pattern on the homeologous chromosomes of six Trachelyopterus species: T. coriaceus and Trachelyopterus aff. galeatus from the Araguaia River basin; T. striatulus, T. galeatus and T. porosus from the Amazonas River basin; and Trachelyopterus aff. coriaceus from the Paraguay River basin. Most species had similar patterns of the (GATA)n microsatellite in the histone genes and 5S rDNA carriers. However, we have found a chromosomal polymorphism of the (GATA)n sequence in the 18S rDNA carriers of Trachelyopterus galeatus, which is in Hard-Weinberg equilibrium and possibly originated through amplification events; and a chromosome polymorphism in Trachelyopterus aff. galeatus, which combined with an inversion polymorphism of the U2 snRNA in the same chromosome pair resulted in six possible cytotypes, which are in Hardy-Weinberg disequilibrium. Therefore, comparing the distribution pattern on homeologous chromosomes across the species, using gene clusters as a guide to identify it, seems to be an effective way to further the analysis of scattered microsatellites in fish cytogenetics.

Chromosome and bands: comparative cytogenetics of the morphotypes of Ameerega trivittata (Anura: Dendrobatidae)

Ameerega trivittata is a widely distributed dendrobatid species with colour polymorphism for which only the diploid number, nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) and heterochromatic pattern are known. Here, we investigated the existence of cytogenetic structure in A. trivittata populations with different morphotypes. Four morphotypes and their geographical distributions were defined. All the individuals have 24 chromosomes and a similar heterochromatic pattern, the same location of telomeric regions and 5S rDNA. The NOR site was coincident with the 18S rDNA in pair 9, but some individuals presented an additional site in one of the homologues of pair 11. The highest variation was found in the microsatellite distribution patterns. Comparing the cytogenetic characters of the individuals, two groups were detected: (1) Tabatinga (morphotype B) and Benjamin Constant (morphotype A), and (2) Presidente Figueiredo and Tefé (morphotype C). The cytogenetic data appear to be correlated to the structure pattern of the morphotypes, and corroborate the dispersal routes proposed in the literature. This is the first study of population cytogenetics for the group. Our results provide a series of cytogenetic characters for A. trivittata and for Dendrobatidae for the first time and highlight the importance of considering cytogenetics in population research.

Identifying fish eggs and larvae: from classic methodologies to DNA metabarcoding

Studies involving fish eggs and larvae date back to the end of the nineteenth century. Since then, studies with ichthyoplankton have proved to be an essential tool, generating information for the knowledge of the ichthyofauna and the environmental inventory. Most of these studies reveal the difficulty of obtaining a precise taxonomic identification of the collected materials, making research with ichthyoplankton extremely challenging. With the advent of molecular biology, the use of markers such as COI enabled greater taxonomic precision, helping to understand events involving ichthyofauna. Now we can observe the evolution of the molecular identification tool for ichthyoplankton via DNA barcoding, which has been increasingly used over the last few decades. From 2000 to 2010, we found six publications; from 2011 to 2021, 75 papers were published, and in 2022 four studies. Our survey also showed the accuracy of molecular identification when compared to the taxonomic identification of these. In this review, we show the state of the art of studies that used barcode and DNA metabarcoding to identify fish eggs and larvae in different environments and discuss their importance as the best practice for working with these organisms.

Chromosomal analysis of Centromochlus heckelii (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae), with a contribution to Centromochlus definition

ABSTRACT Historically, there are divergences in the species allocation between Centromochlus and Tatia. This study aimed to generate the first cytogenetic data about Centromochlus and, by analyzing a population of Centromochlus heckelii from the Amazon River basin, to contribute as evidence to a historical taxonomic dilemma. Diploid number of 46 chromosomes and a heteromorphic pair was found in the female karyotypes, thus characterizing a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system. Pale blocks of heterochromatin were located in centromeric regions of some chromosomes; however, the exclusive female chromosome (W) is almost entirely heterochromatic. AgNORs were detected in terminal position on the short arms of one acrocentric pair in males and two chromosome pairs in females, the acrocentric plus the sex chromosome pair. Notable differences between Centromochlus heckelii and previous data about species of Tatia are: lower diploid number, presence of a sex chromosome system and multiple AgNORs in Centromochlus, while species of Tatia have simple AgNORs and the absence of acrocentric chromosomes. Results in this study show that chromosomal markers could contribute as evidence to taxonomic delimitation studies.

Mapeamento cromossômico das histonas H1 e H4 em espécies de Parodontidae (Characiformes)

Parodontidae é composta por três gêneros: Parodon, Saccodon e Apareiodon, os quais abrangem 31 espécies consideradas válidas. Do ponto de vista cromossômico, apresentam 2n=54 cromossomos conservado, com variações nas fórmulas cariotípicas, número e localização dos DNAs ribossomais 45S e 5S e presença/ausência de cromossomos sexuais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir para o conhecimento da diversidade cromossômica de Parodontidae, analisando, através de hibridizações in situ fluorescentes, a localização cromossômica dos genes das histonas H1 e H4 em sete espécies da família: Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon sp. 1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon argenteus, Apareiodon davisi e Parodon cf. pongoensis. As sondas utilizadas foram amplificadas a partir do genoma de A. cavalcante. As sequências obtidas na amplificação das histonas H1 e H4 apresentaram 626 e 213 pares de bases, respectivamente, exibindo similaridade com sequências parciais destes genes de outras espécies de peixes. Além disso, a sequência de H1 amplificada apresentou similaridade com um fragmento interno do elemento transponível ERV1-2 FCa-I. As hibridizações revelaram a ocorrência de co-localização destes genes em porção intersticial de um único par cromossômico (par 20 em P. cf. pongoensis e par 13 nas demais espécies), ocorrendo também um sítio adicional de H1 em A. davisi e pequenos sítios dessa sequência dispersos pelos cariótipos de todas as espécies. Os resultados sugerem que o cluster H1-H4 alocado em apenas um par cromossômico seja a tendência para Parodontidae, indicando assim uma possível conservação desta clusterização em todas as espécies do grupo. Os pequenos sítios de H1 dispersos pelos cariótipos e o sítio adicional de A. davisi provavelmente estão associados ao retroelemento inserido nesta sequência. Além disso, o sítio adicional de A. davisi também pode ser resultado de rearranjos cromossômicos, bem como o par portador do cluster H1-H4 em P. cf. pongoensis. Apesar de ser sugerida a conservação da localização dos genes das histonas H1 e H4 em Parodontidae, as particularidades apresentadas por algumas espécies indicam que, em alguns casos, estes genes estão envolvidos em processos evolutivos que resultam em maior nível de diferenciação.Órgãos financiadores: FAPESP, CAPES e CNPqApoio de coleta: ICM-Bio (licença Nº 10538-1)

Mapeamento cromossômico comparativo de DNAs repetitivos em duas espécies de Pimelodidae (Siluriformes): Bergiaria westermanni (Liitken, 1874) e Pimelodus pohli (Ribeiro e Lucena, 2006)

Bergiaria westermanni e Pimelodus pohli são espécies pertencentes à família Pimelodidae (Siluriformes) e endêmicas da bacia do rio São Francisco. Estudos citogenéticos no grupo já evidenciaram cromossomos B, sistemas de cromossomos sexuais heteromórficos e diversificação cariotípica. O presente trabalho objetivou analisar citogeneticamente duas espécies de Pimelodidae coletadas na bacia do rio São Francisco (MG): B. westermanni (26? e 3?) e P. pohli (28? e 19?). Para ambas, o 2n foi de 56 cromossomos sem a ocorrência de cromossomos sexuais e, em B. westermanni uma variação intra e interindividual de 0 a 4 cromossomos B foi observada. As fórmulas cariotípicas são diferenciadas para as duas espécies (28m+14sm+10st+4a, NF = 94 para B. westermanni) e (20m+18sm+12st+6a, NF=106 para P. pohli). A heterocromatina alocou-se preferencialmente nas regiões centroméricas e terminais, sendo os cromossomos B de B. westermanni totalmente heterocromáticos. Evidenciou-se NOR simples, terminal, ativa e coincidente com os sítios de rDNA 18S no par cromossômico 27 em B. westermanni, e no par 24 de P. polhi, além de sítios do rDNA 45S nos cromossomos B de B. westermanni com evidências de atividade transcricional. Sítios intersticiais de rDNA 5S foram detectados nos pares cromossômicos 1 e 5 em B. westermanni e nos pares 1 e 18 em P. pohli. A localização in situ da sonda do snRNA U2 foi sintênica a um par cromossômico portador do rDNA 5S, par 5 em B. westermanni e par 18 em P. pohli. A sequência (TTAGGG)n foi evidenciada nas porções terminais dos cromossomos das espécies, inclusive nos cromossomos B de B. westermanni. Em P. pohli, sítios teloméricos intersticiais (ITS) foram detectados em três pares cromossômicos, os quais podem ser resultado de rearranjos cromossômicos ou quebras da dupla fita com mecanismo de reparo mediado pela telomerase. Os resultados citogenéticos para estas duas espécies evidenciam uma conservação do número diplóide. Entretanto, variações nas fórmulas cariotípicas, presença de cromossomos B em B. westermanni, com genes rRNA 45S provavelmente ativos, e ITS em P. pohli, demonstraram diferenciação na estrutura dos cromossomos e no conteúdo genômico. Esses dados contribuem para a caracterização citogenética da família, e auxiliam no entendimento de sua evolução cromossômica.Órgãos financiadores: FAPESP, CAPES e CNPqApoio de coleta: ICM-Bio (licença Nº 10538-1)

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.

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.

Chromosomal characterization of armored catfish Harttia longipinna (Siluriformes, Loricariidae): first report of B chromosomes in the genus

The B chromosomes are accessory elements that are widely distributed among eukaryotic genomes and often show non-Mendelian inheritance. They are considered dispensable for the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. Some studies have suggested that these elements may affect sex determination. Harttia is a small armored catfish genus that shows sexual dimorphism, including hypertrophied odontodes on the pectoral fin spines and along the margins of the snout in mature males. They exhibit considerable karyotypic diversity with diploid number (2n) variation and heteromorphic sex system in H. carvalhoi. To date, no occurrences of B chromosomes in the Harttia genus were detected and no relation to sexual differentiation in Neotropical fish has been determined. To determine the validity of this claim, the present paper characterized specimens of Harttia longipinna by classical and molecular cytogenetic methods. The 2n found was 58 (16m + 12sm + 16st + 14a), but of the 50 specimens analyzed (30 male and 20 female), 23 specimens (16 males and seven females) show an intra-individual from 0 to 2 micro B chromosomes. The B chromosomes were completely heterochromatic. The single NORs were shown in the first acrocentric pair with silver staining and 18S rDNA probing. FISH performed with 5S rDNA probe showed a single cistron in the proximal region of the short arm of a small metacentric pair. Thus, the cytogenetic data obtained in this study of H. longipinna highlight the karyotypic diversity found within the genus Harttia, and represent the first description of B chromosomes for this genus.

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.