B chromosomes are additional genetic elements to the standard complement. They display distinctive features and have been found in 15% of eukaryote species. In this study, we analyzed 4 populations of Crenicichla lepidota from hydrographic system of Laguna dos Patos/RS (Brazil). All specimens showed 2n = 48 with 6m + 42st - a, FN = 54, with a secondary constriction on the first pair of the complement. Among the 18 samples analyzed, 6 individuals belonging to the Gasômetro and Saco da Alemoa populations presented 1-3 small-sized heterochromatic B chromosomes, with intra- and interindividual variation. Simple AgNORs coincident with 18S rDNA and CMA3 positive/DAPI negative sites were present in all populations. The extra chromosomes did not exhibit any 18S rDNA sites. The meiotic analyses showed heteropycnotic regions in leptotene and zygotene stages, which may be related to the presence of B chromosomes. During pachytene were found 24 bivalents and 1 spatially separated, as well as during metaphases I and diplotene, indicating that there is no association between B chromosomes and those of the A complement. During diakinesis, an unusual meiotic configuration was observed, revealing a proximity between the bivalent and chromosome B (univalent), that might be the result of a heterochromatin affinity between these chromosomes. In anaphase I, late migration of B chromosomes was detected. The low frequency of B chromosomes in the Cichlidae family and in Crenicichla suggests its recent origin in this group and may be ascribable to animal exposure to deleterious effects under certain environmental conditions. Moreover, this is the first report in C. lepidota.

The Pseudopimelodidae family comprises 35 species however, cytogenetic studies have been performed in only six species. This study uncovered karyotypic data on Pseudopimelodus pulcher and Microglanis cottoides. Both species possessed 2n = 54, with 20m + 16sm + 10st + 8a and FN = 100 for P. pulcher and 30m + 14sm + 6st + 4a and FN = 104 for M. cottoides. A female of M. cottoides with 45m + 21sm + 9st + 6a (2n = 81) plus two extra small chromosomes was found, indicating a natural triploidy with supernumerary chromosomes. The formation of the polyploid individual seems to have come from a diploid female gamete, due to the presence of a marker chromosome pair partially heterochromatic presents only in females and common to that exemplar. This triploid female showed three chromosomes with nitrate staining (AgNOR), 18S rDNA probe and chromomycin A3 (CMA3) staining. AgNORs were observed on pairs 12 and 23 in P. pulcher and pair 24 in M. cottoides, results that were confirmed with an 18S rDNA probe and CMA3 fluorochrome. These are the first chromosomal data for P. pulcher and provide the first description of natural triploidy with the presence of supernumerary chromosomes in this family and emphasizing well the chromosomal rearrangements diversification between this species.

The family Curimatidae is a fish group usually considered chromosomally conserved in their diploid number. However, some studies show small changes in the karyotype microstructure, and the presence of B chromosomes, indicating a chromosomal diversification within the group, even if structural changes in the karyotypes are not visible. Few studies associate this trait with an evolutionary pattern within the family. This study aimed to characterize the karyotype, (NORs)nucleolus organizer regions , and heterochromatin distribution of six species of Curimatidae of the genera Cyphocharax Fowler, 1906 and Steindachnerina Fowler, 1906: Cyphocharax voga (Hensel, 1870), Cyphocharax spilotus (Vari, 1987), Cyphocharax saladensis (Meinken, 1933), Cyphocharax modestus (Fernández-Yépez, 1948), Steindachnerina biornata (Braga et Azpelicueta, 1987) and Steindachnerina insculpta (Fernández-Yépez, 1948) and contribute data to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the chromosomal evolution of this group of fish. All specimens had 2n=54, m-sm, and B microchromosomes. Five species exhibited single NORs, except for Steindachnerina biornata, which showed a multiple pattern of ribosomal sites. NORs were chromomycin A3 positive (CMA3+) and 4’-6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI-) negative, exhibiting differences in the pair and chromosomal location of each individual of the species. FISH with 5S rDNA probe revealed sites in the pericentrometic position of a pair of chromosomes of five species. However, another site was detected on a metacentric chromosome of Cyphocharax spilotus. Heterochromatin distributed both in the pericentromeric and some terminal regions was revealed to be CMA3+/DAPI-. These data associated with the previously existing ones confirm that, although Curimatidae have a very conservative karyotype macrostructure, NORs and heterochromatin variability are caused by mechanisms of chromosome alterations, such as translocations and/or inversions, leading to the evolution and diversification of this group of fish.

Crenicichla is the largest genus in the Cichlidae family in South America. The genus includes 100 valid species that are popularly known in Brazil as jacundás or joaninhas and are widely distributed in rivers east of the Andes. Cytogenetic analyses were carried out on seven species in this genus . All species showed a diploid number of 48 with interspecific differences in karyotype formulas and AgNORs located in interstitial position on the short arm of the largest metacentric pair, except for the two populations from C. britskii. Population A showed terminal markings on the long arm of the fifth pair of the complement, and population B showed up to two marked chromosome pairs. FISH with an 18S rDNA probe was coincident with AgNORs and CMA 3 , except for pair 6 from population B of C. britskii that did not presented positive CMA 3 sites. This work presents first cytogenetic data for C. haroldoi , C. maculata, and C. punctata , and the results show karyotypic patterns similar to those in the literature. However, the diversity found in populations of C. britskii represents new information about the evolution of the karyotype of the Cichlidae family, which has been conservative. Furthermore, the data could assist in phylogenetic studies of Crenicichla .

The genera Cichlasoma and Gymnogeophagus belong to the subfamily Cichlinae, the only one in Neotropical cichlids. Cichlasoma dimerus, C. paranaense, C. portalegrense, Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus, and G. lacustris were collected at different points in the Paranapanema and Paraguay basins and the Lagoon of Patos hydrographic system. In addition to conventional analysis, CMA 3 fluorochrome staining, and FISH with 18S rDNA probe were performed. All species had a diploid number equal to 48, with inter-and intraspecific differences in karyotype formulae. All species presented a single AgNOR site, except G. rhabdotus and the C. paranaense population of the Paranapanema River, which revealed more than one pair of nucleolar chromosomes. AgNORs were coincident to 18S rDNA and CMA 3. Heterochromatin was distributed in the pericentromeric chromosomal regions and coincident with NORs. For the first time, this work shows cytogenetic data for C. portalegrense, G. lacustris, and G. rhabdotus. Although some results reinforce the idea of conservative chromosome evolution of 2n in Cichlinae, interspecific and populational variations observed confirm that chromosomal rearrangements affect the microstructural karyotype diversification in this group of fish.