Composition and Nature of Heterochromatin in the Electrical Fish (Knifefishes) Gymnotus (Gymnotiformes: Gymnotidae)

Abstract

Fishes of the genus Gymnotus have been suggested as a good model for biogeographic studies in the South American continent. In relation to heterochromatin, species of this genus have blocks preferably distributed in the centromeric region. The content of these regions has been shown to be variable, with description of transposable elements, pseudogenes of 5S rDNA and satellite sequences. In G. carapo Clade, although geographically separated, species with 2n = 54 chromosomes share the distribution of many 5S rDNA sites, a unique case within the genus. Here, repetitive DNA sequences from G. sylvius (2n = 40) and G. paraguensis (2n = 54) were isolated and mapped to understand their constitution. The chromosome mapping by FISH showed an exclusive association in the centromeres of all chromosomes. However, the cross-FISH did not show positive signs of interspecific hybridization, indicating high levels of heterochromatic sequence specificity. In addition, COI-1 sequences were analyzed in some species of Gymnotus, which revealed a close relationship between species of clade 2n = 54, which have multiple 5S rDNA sites. Possibly, the insertion of retroelements or pseudogenization and dispersion of this sequence occurred before the geographic dispersion of the ancestor of this clade from the Amazon region to the hydrographic systems of Paraná-Paraguay, a synapomorphy for the group.