The Neotropical Heptapteridae fish Imparfinis hollandi, endemic to the Iguaçu River Basin (Brazil), was cytogenetically analyzed and the diploid chromosome number of 2n = 42 chromosomes was determined (22m + 10sm + 10st), the lowest diploid number in this genus and family. Like other Heptapteridae species, only one NOR-bearing chromosome pair was detected by silver nitrate staining. Dark heterochromatic blocks were visualized in only three chromosome pairs, and chromomycin A3+ bands were coincident with Ag-NORs. Although no intercalary (TTAGGG)n sequence was observed through FISH with a telomere probe, an asymmetric karyotype showing four large chromosome pairs with diploid chromosome number reduction suggests that tandem chromosome fusions probably occurred during the karyotypic differentiation of Imparfinis hollandi.
Siluriformes; chromosome banding; chromosomal rearrangements; (TTAGGG)n
