Abstract
Cytogenetic variations among four Clarias species from Anambra river, Nigeria were studied using leucocytes culture techniques. Heterogeneity in chromosome number (2n = 48 in Clarias ebriensis and C. albopunctatus to 2n = 56 in C. anguillaris and C. gariepinus) and Karyotype morphologies occurred among the clariids. The chromosomes were characterized by a high proportion of meta-submetacentric chromosomes and low proportion of acrocentric chromosomes. The females karyotype morphologies exhibited a heteromorphic pair suspected to be the sex chromosome complex. The following formulae were established for the male clariids; C. ebriensis 6m + 22sm + 20a FN =76; C. albopunctatus 4m ± 22sm + 22a FN = 74; C. gariepinus 8m + 24a FN = 88; and C. anguillaris 8m + 26m + 22a FN = 90. The female karyotype morphologies were C. ebriensis 6m + 23sm + 19a FN = 77, C. albopunctatus 4m ± 23sm + 21a FN = 75, C. gariepinus 8m + 25sm + 23a FN = 89 and C. anguillaris 8m + 27sm + 21a FN = 91. A generic chromosomal number of 2n = 54 + 4 for the clariids was suggested. The almost uniform karyotype morphologies and the closeness of the chromosome numbers around the generic chromosome number may suggest success with which the clariids may hybridize in nature.
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