Comparative cytogenetic survey of the giant bonytongue Arapaima fish (Osteoglossiformes: Arapaimidae), across different Amazonian and Tocantins/Araguaia River basins

The South American giant fishes of the genus Arapaima, commonly known as pirarucu, are one of the most iconic among Osteoglossiformes. Previously cytogenetic studies have identified their karyotype characteristics; however, characterization of cytotaxonomic differentiation across their distribution range remains unknown. In this study, we compared chromosomal characteristics using conventional and molecular cytogenetic protocols in pirarucu populations from the Amazon and Tocantins-Araguaia river basins to verify if there is differentiation among representatives of this genus. Our data revealed that individuals from all populations present the same diploid chromosome number 2n=56 and karyotype composed of 14 pairs of meta- to submetacentric and 14 pairs of subtelo- to acrocentric chromosomes. The minor and major rDNA sites are in separate chromosomal pairs, in which major rDNA sites corresponds to large heterochromatic blocks. Comparative genomic hybridizations (CGH) showed that the genome of these populations shared a great portion of repetitive elements, due to a lack of substantial specific signals. Our comparative cytogenetic data analysis of pirarucu suggested that, although significant genetic differences occur among populations, their general karyotype patterns remain conserved.

A study of constitutive heterochromatin and NOR banding in three species of Indian major carps from the State of Haryana, India

Cytogenetic survey of fishes becomes increasingly important to establish chromosomal relation between the teleosts, to have a glimpse of the relation between chromosomal evolution and differentiation of vertebrate species. In the present study, Chromosome banding studies was done in three species of carps i.e. Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822), Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) and Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822). Diploid chromosome number 50 was observed in all 3 species of carps. The chromosomes of C. catla, L. rohita and C. mrigala showed constitutive heterochromatin at telomeric and centromeric regions of chromosomes. The Ag-NOR (Argyrophilic-Nucleolus Organizer Region) bands were observed on homologous chromosome pair number 11 in C. catla, 15th chromosome pair in L. rohita. In C. mrigala, the Ag- NOR staining elucidated the presence of darkly stained NORs on the terminal region of the long arms of one of the chromosome. Another homologue of this chromosome pair could not be localized due to scattering of chromosomes. The results depict that variation in ecological conditions with time due to human activities can not only affect the chromosomal number but also chromosomal morphology.