Cytogenetic study on chromosomal conservation and distribution of repetitive elements in Gymnotus sylvius e Gymnotus cf carapo

• Grant number: 11/20568-6
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal researcher: Lurdes Foresti de Almeida-Toledo
• Grantee: Rodrigo Salazar da Silva
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The order Gymnotiformes is a monophyletic group of Neotropical electric fish widely distributed in Central and South America, into which is inserted the Gymnotus. Although this kind presents certain characteristics, the group has a high diversity and high intraspecific variability, which complicates the identification of these species. In contrast, several studies focused on cytogenetics and genome of these fish have contributed to the understanding not only of the phylogenetic relationships, but also of chromosomal evolution in the group. Among the items studied in these areas are repetitive elements of the genome, in particular satellite DNA. The studies in this section has been of great value, because the satellite DNAs allow the identification of homologous chromosomes, chromosome aberrations; characterization of sex chromosomes and B chromosomes; and the obtainment of more information about phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of taxons in different groups. In this study we propose the construction of libraries for screening for highly repetitive elements, in order to better understand the importance, chromosome distribution and conservation of these portions of the genome in the genus Gymnotus.