Are the chromosomal fusions that shaped the karyotype of Tetranematichthys wallacei (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) a shared feature among Ageneiosini species?

Abstract

The genus Tetranematichthys has only three species, and none of them have undergone cytogenetic analyses. Therefore, this study brings for the first time the analysis of Tetranematichthys wallacei, collected from the Igarapé Apaú, Guamá River basin, municipality of Castanhal, Pará State, Brazil. The diploid number found was 52 chromosomes (32m+18sm+2st, NF = 104), in both sexes, with predominantly terminal and some interstitial heterochromatin. Telomeric sequences were observed exclusively in terminal regions. The 18S rDNA sites were found on pair 17sm of all specimens and in only one of the homologous of pair 7 in three specimens. The 5S rDNA sites were found in pairs 8m and 10m. Tetranematichthys wallacei exhibits characteristics worthy of attention regarding its current phylogenetic position, including a probable diploid number reduction. Additionally, it shares with Tympanopleura atronasus the 18S rDNA allocated in the long arm of a large sm chromosome (first pair) but does not share with Ageneiosus the large first m pair with evidence of fusion, as observed in Ageneiosus inermis. The chromosomal data generated for T. wallacei, along with the data from the other two previously studied Ageneiosini taxa, reinforces proposals from morphology-based studies suggesting that the tribe represents the most distinct clade within the family.

Keywords: Chromosomal evolution; Driftwood catfish; Diploid number reduction; Interstitial telomeric sites; rDNA polymorphism