Cytogenetics of Synbranchiformes: a comparative analysis of two Synbranchus Bloch, 1795 species from the Amazon.

Synbranchidae belongs to the Synbranchiformes and occurs in Africa, Asia, Australia, Mexico, and Central and South America. This family comprises four genera: Synbranchus, Ophisternon, Monopterus, and Macrotrema. Only two are known from the neotropical region, Ophisternon and Synbranchus. According to current classification, Synbranchus has three valid species: S. marmoratus (Bloch 1795), S. madeirae (Rosen and Rumney 1972), and S. lampreia (Favorito, Zanata and Assumpção 2005). Thus the present research is aimed to cytogenetically characterize (by classical and molecular methods) two syntopic species-S. aff. lampreia and S. madeirae-from the central Amazon basin to validate the taxonomy of both species and provide a revisionary discussion on the cytogenetics of Synbranchiformes. Synbranchus aff. lampreia was found to possess 2n = 44 chromosomes (6 m + 2st + 36a, NF = 50), while S. madeirae had 2n = 46 chromosomes (6 m + 2st + 38a, NF = 52). Constitutive heterochromatin was dominant in the centromeric and terminal regions of most of the chromosomes in both species, although the precise distribution patterns were species-specific. The nucleolar organizing region was single in S. aff. lampreia and multiple in S. madeirae, as indicated by both AgNO(3) and hybridization using 18S rDNA probes. The 5S rDNA sites were located interstitially on the long arms of an acrocentric pair in both species, and the telomeric probe did not show any interstitial sites in either species. These data indicate the occurrence of interspecific karyotypic variability in Synbranchus and suggest that taxonomic review for this genus is necessary.

Molecular signature of the D-loop in the brown pencilfish Nannostomus eques (Characiformes, Lebiasinidae) reveals at least two evolutionary units in the Rio Negro basin, Brazil.

The genetic variability of the brown pencilfish Nannostomus eques was studied, based on an analysis of sequences from the control region (1084 bp) of mitochondrial (mt)DNA in 125 individuals collected from eight tributaries along the upper (Açaituba, Miuá, Jaradi and Arixanã), middle (Demini), and lower (Jacundá, Maguari and Catalão) Rio Negro (Brazil). Phylogenetic inferences using mtDNA data from N. eques revealed two evolutionary units. Genetic distance between them ranged from 5.5 to 8.3% and differed by 8.5-11.8% from the sister species pencilfish Nannostomus unifasciatus. The time of divergence between the two evolutionary units was estimated to be the Middle Pliocene (c. 2.99 million years before present). Population genetic analysis (DNA polymorphism, AMOVA and Mantel test) showed high haplotype diversity (HD, >0.90) in each evolutionary unit, a strong population genetic structure in the Demini River that formed a monophyletic group and a correlation between genetic divergence and geographical distance in only one of these units (evolutionary unit 1). On the basis of molecular data, the rapids and waterfalls near São Gabriel da Cachoeira (Upper Rio Negro) were the main barriers to gene flow within evolutionary unit 1 in some localities. The emergences of the Branco River and the Anavilhanas Archipelago were apparently responsible for the discrepancy in distribution of the two evolutionary units, except at Jacundá, where the evolutionary units were sympatric. In view of the differences between the evolutionary units, N. eques cannot be treated as a single stock in the Rio Negro basin. These results may have important implications for the fishery management of this ornamental fish.

Cryptic diversity in the mtDNA of the ornamental fish Carnegiella strigata.

Mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA) sequences of the marbled hatchetfish Carnegiella strigata, an ornamental fish exported from the Negro River, was examined to determine its genetic diversity and population structure in blackwater rivers (Negro and Uatumã Rivers) in the central Amazon. Analyses of a 646 bp fragment of the ATPase 6/8 mtDNA gene revealed two monophyletic lineages of C. strigata with considerable genetic distance between them (10-12%), suggesting that these lineages should not be considered a single stock. Furthermore, there were strong differences in the geographical distribution of the lineages. These results indicate a past association between drainages of the Negro and Uatumã Rivers. They also suggest that, in the Negro River, its main tributary, the Branco River, may act as a geographical barrier and potentially an ecological barrier between populations of the middle and lower portions of the river.

Cytogenetics of two sympatric Corydoras species (pisces, siluriformes, challichtyidae) of Southern Brazil.

Karyotypic data are presented for two sympatric Corydoras species of the Lagoa Dourada, namely, C. ehrhadti and C. paleatus, which are found in the upper Tibagi river basin (Ponta Grossa, State of Paraná, Brazil). The same diploid number and karyotypic formula were observed in both species/populations. A great similarity in the constitutive heterochromatin distribution and in the activity of nucleolar organizer regions was also found. The use of in situ hybridization with a fluorescent 18S rDNA probe allowed for the identification of the species/populations through the location of ribosomal sites.

Evolutionary dynamics of repetitive DNA in semaprochilodus (characiformes, prochilodontidae): a fish model for sex chromosome differentiation.

Distribution of 6 microsatellites and 5 transposable elements on the chromosomes of Semaprochilodus taeniurus and S. insignis, commonly referred to as Jaraqui, was performed using their physical mapping with fluorescence in situ hybridization. In this study, we aim to understand the evolutionary dynamics in genomes of S. taeniurus and S. insignis by comparing the position, abundance and contribution of the repetitive sequences in the origins and differentiation of a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in S. taeniurus. Results revealed that distribution patterns of repetitive DNAs along the chromosomes varied considerably. Hybridization signals were observed on several autosomes in both species; however, in S. taeniurus genome, the repetitive sequences were more abundant. In addition, large clusters of known repetitive sequences were detected in sex chromosomes of S. taeniurus. This observation is notable because the accumulation of repetitive DNAs could reflect the degradation of genetic activities and the differentiation of protosex chromosomes, evolving into the heteromorphic ZW pair observed in S. taeniurus.

Cytogenetics of two sympatric Corydoras species (pisces, siluriformes, challichtyidae) of Southern Brazil

Dados cariotípicos são apresentados para duas espécies simpátricas de Corydoras da Lagoa Dourada, C. ehrhadti e C. paleatus, pertencentes à bacia do alto Rio Tibagi (Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brasil). O mesmo número diplóide e fórmula cariotípica foram observados em ambas espécies/populações. Grande similaridade foi verificada também para a distribuição da heterocromatina constitutiva e atividade das regiões organizadoras de nucléolos. O emprego da hibridação in situ com sonda fluorescente de DNAr 18S possibilitou identificar as espécies/populações por meio da localização dos sítios ribossomais.