BackgroundB chromosomes, also known as supernumerary or accessory chromosomes, are additional chromosomes over the standard complement found in various groups of plants and animals. We investigated the presence of, and characterized, supernumerary microchromosomes in Astyanax goyacensis using classical and molecular cytogenetic methods.FindingsThree specimens possessed 2n = 50 chromosomes (8m + 26sm + 8st + 8a), and two specimens contained 1 to 9 additional B microchromosomes varying intra- and inter-individually. Chromosome painting with a B chromosome-specific probe yielded signals for several B microchromosomes, with one exhibiting no markings. Acrocentric chromosomes of the standard complement were also painted. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using ribosomal probes located two chromosome pairs carrying 18S rDNA marked on the short arm, and one pair carrying 5S rDNA with pericentromeric markings. One chromosome was observed in synteny with 18S cistrons.ConclusionThese data contribute to knowledge of the karyotype evolution, the origin of B chromosomes, and to an understanding of the functionality of rDNA.

ResumoOs bioindicadores são usados para avaliar mudanças no ambiente aquático. Substâncias químicas incorporadas em ambientes naturais interferem no desenvolvimento desses organismos. A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da água da represa Cocais, em Patrocínio, Minas Gerais, utilizando parâmetros físico-químico da água e teste de micronúcleo em peixes. Nesse estudo, foram utilizados peixes da espécie Oreochromis niloticus L. (Tilápia-do-nilo) introduzidos na represa após a sua construção. Material genético de vinte e oito indivíduos foi coletado em dois pontos, P1 na nascente e P2 na represa. A análise citológica foi realizada utilizando-se microscópio óptico, sendo examinados 4000 eritrócitos por peixe. Para a caracterização físico-química das amostras de água foram realizadas duas coletas no período de chuva e de seca, tanto na nascente como na represa. Os parâmetros analisados (turbiez, pH, oxigênio dissolvido -OD, sólidos totais dissolvidos -SDT), nitrato e nitrogênio amoniacal foram inferiores aos limites estabelecidos na legislação. A condutividade apresentou valores superiores ao indicado pela CETESB, caracterizando uma medida indireta da concentração de poluentes. Com os resultados obtidos no teste de micronúcleos pode-se observar uma maior frequência de micronúcleos nas células dos peixes capturados na represa, sugerindo que a água está contaminada por genotóxicos, que alteraram o material genético desses bioindicadores.Palavras-chave: Eritrócitos de peixes, parâmetros de qualidade, ecossistema lentico. Micronucleus test in fish and physicochemical parameters in water at Cocais dam, Minas Gerais AbstractThe organisms known as bioindicators are used to assess changes in the aquatic environment. Incorporated chemical substances in natural environment interfere in the development of these organisms. The research had as objective to avaluate the water quality of the Cocais dam, in Patrocínio, Minas Gerais, using physical-chemical parameters of water and micronucleus test in fish. In this study were used fish of the species Oreochromis niloticus L. (Tilápia-do-nilo) introduced in the dam after its construction. Genetic material from twenty-eight individuals was collected at two points, P1 at the dam and P2 at the source. The cytological analysis was performed using an optical microscope and 4000 erythrocytes were examined per fish. For the physico-chemical characterization of the water samples were performed two collections during the rainy and dry periods, both in the dam and in the source. The parameters analyzed (turbidity, pH, Dissolved oxygen -OD, total dissolved solids -SDT), nitrate ammoniacal Nitrogen values were lower than those established in the legislation. The conductivity was higher than value indicated by CETESB, characterizing an indirect measure of the concentration of pollutants. Whit the results obtained in the micronucleus test a higher frequency of micronucleus can be observed in the cells of the fish captured in the dam, suggesting that the water is contaminated by genotox...

B chromosomes occur in different species of the small characid fishes of the genus <i>Moenkhausia.</i> These supernumerary elements, that do not recombine with chromosomes of the standard A complement and follow their own evolutionary mechanism vary in number, morphology, and distribution. Here, we show karyotypic data of individuals of 2 populations of <i>Moenkhausia oligolepis</i> of the Brazilian Amazon (Pedro Correia and Taboquinha streams, Tocantins river basin), both with a diploid number of 50 chromosomes and karyotypic formula of 10m + 32sm + 8a. In addition to the normal complement, we also observed the occurrence of B chromosomes in the 2 populations with intra- and interindividual variation ranging from 0 to 10 Bs, independent of sex. The C-banding pattern evidenced heterochromatic blocks located mainly in the pericentromeric region of the chromosomes, while the B chromosomes appeared euchromatic. Silver-stained nucleolus organizer regions were identified in multiples sites, and some of these blocks were positive when stained with chromomycin A_3. The karyotype analysis and the application of whole-chromosome painting in populations of <i>M. oligolepis</i> reinforce the conservation of the basal diploid number for the genus, as well as the evolutionary tendency in these fishes to carry B chromosomes. Both populations turned out to be in different stages of stability and expansion of their B chromosomes. We further suggest that the origin of these chromosomes is due to the formation of isochromosomes. Here, we identified a pair of complement A chromosomes involved in this process.