Meiotic and gametic analysis of B chromosomes in the cichlid fish, Astatotilapia latifasciata

• Grant number: 13/19898-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: César Martins
• Grantee: Diogo de Moraes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

B chromosomes, supernumerary chromosomes or Bs are elements without mendelian inheritance that are disposable in the karyotype of many species in a plenty of eukaryotes. Its effects do not seem to follow any kind of pattern in B positive species and they can be either beneficial, neutral or detrimental. Bs are still transmitted in cases where its effects are either neutral or harmful because they may have accumulation mechanisms. B chromosomes where previously described in the cichlid fish Astatotilapia latifasciata, which may have one, two or no B chromosomes. However, analyses focused on the behaviour of Bs during meiosis and its gametic distribution have not been done yet. The objective of the project is to analyse the meiotic behaviour of Bs in A. latifasciata and provide valuable information for new research focused on the tranmission mechanisms of this element. Such analyses will enable us to enchance our knowledge about this important genomic element which, even though has been largely identified in eukaryotes, it still is a puzzle that needs to be solved, regarding its evolutive history, origin and effects. (AU)