Integrative morphological, cytogenetic and molecular characterization of the Andean climbing catfish Astroblepus mindoensis (Regan, 1916) (Siluriformes:Astroblepidae)

Author(s):Show less -

Nirchio, Mauro ; Oliveira, Claudio ; Cioffi, Marcelo de Bello ; Sassi, Francisco M. C. ; Rizzi, Francisco Provenzano ; Benavides, Santiago Wladimir Nunez ; Berrones, Alison Jazmin Calderon ; Romero, Juan Francisco Rivadeneira ; Deon, Geize Aparecida ; Kuranaka, Mariana ; Valdiviezo-Rivera, Jonathan Santiago ; Olmedo, Julio C. Carrion ; Rossi, Anna Rita

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Fish Biology; v. N/A, p. 13-pg., 2024-10-09.

Abstract

Astroblepus species, commonly known as Andean climbing catfish, exhibit a unique challenge in species delimitation, leading to ongoing taxonomic debates. Here we report data on Astroblepus mindoensis, a vulnerable species endemic to Ecuador, obtained by an integrative approach that includes cytogenetic analysis, molecular identification of the specimens, and recording of morphological and morphometric characters useful for species diagnosis. Thus, this study aimed to associate the karyotype data of the specimens analyzed with morphological and molecular characters, improving and expanding the existing taxonomic information, thus contributing to the systematics of the species. Our morphology results, unlike Regan's original description, which is brief and ambiguous, provide a more detailed morphometric and meristic description. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction and genetic distance based on a fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) showed that our samples constitute a well-supported and monophyletic clade within the A. grixalvii species complex. The cytogenetic analysis identified distinct chromosomal markers, including a single cluster of major ribosomal genes (on chromosome pair 3) and of minor ribosomal genes (on chromosome pair 12) with their localization differing from those reported in other Astroblepus species analyzed. Additionally, the presence of a heteromorphic chromosome pair in males suggests the presence of an XX/XY sex-determination system that has not been identified in other congeneric species. Further investigation is necessary to determine if these chromosomes are associated with the accumulation of repeated sequences, as typically occurs with sex chromosomes, and to assess their presence in other species of the genus. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/08116-0 - Deepen into the satellitome of Harttia: investigations across distinct sex chromosome systems
• Grantee: Francisco de Menezes Cavalcante Sassi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/02681-9 - Evolutionary relationships and demographic history in Loricariidae (Siluriformes) species, with emphasis on Harttia genus
• Grantee: Francisco de Menezes Cavalcante Sassi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 22/04261-2 - Integrating cytogenetics and genomics: evolution of sex chromosome systems in Harttia (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) species
• Grantee: Francisco de Menezes Cavalcante Sassi
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 20/13433-6 - Phylogeny and molecular identification of fishes of the superorder Ostariophysi (Chordata: Actinopterygii) using genomic approaches
• Grantee: Claudio de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 23/00955-2 - Integrating cytogenetics and genomics in the study of sex chromosome differentiation pathways. Part I
• Grantee: Marcelo de Bello Cioffi
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants