Ag-NOR Banding Research Articles

First cytogenetic study of the Somphong’s rasbora (Trigonostigma somphongsi) (Perciformes, Cyprinidae), a critically endangered species in Thailand

The first chromosome study of Trigonostigma somphongsi (Meinken,1958) from Thailand. Specimens were collected from Pak Phli District, Nakhornnayok Province, central Thailand. The mitotic chromosomes were directly prepared from kidney tissues of two males and two females. Conventional staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques were applied to stain the chromosomes. The results shown that diploid chromosome number of T. somphongsi was 2n=50, the fundamental numbers (NF) were 92 in both male and female. The types chromosomes consisted of 10 metacentric, 20 submetacentric, 12 acrocentric and 8 telocentric chromosomes. The result also exhibited that the interstitial nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were clearly observed at the short arm of chromosome pair 2. The karyotype formula could be deduced as: 2n (diploid) 50=10m+20sm+12a+8t.

First report of chromosome and karyological analysis of Gekko nutaphandi (Gekkonidae, Squamata) from Thailand: Neo-diploid chromosome number in genus Gekko

The karyotypes of red-eyed Gecko are not reported yet. Herein, we describe the karyotypes of red-eyed Gecko (Gekko nutaphandi Bauer, Sumontha & Pauwels, 2008) from Thailand. Gecko chromosome preparations were directly conducted from bone marrow and testis. Chromosomal characteristics were analyzed by Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using microsatellites d(GC)15 probe. The results showed that the number of diploid chromosomes is 2n=34, while the fundamental number (NF) is 46 in both males and females. The types of chromosomes were 4 large metacentric, 6 large submetacentric, 2 medium telocentric, 2 small metacentric and 20 small telocentric chromosomes. The results of conventional Giemsa staining presented the diploid chromosome number differentiation even in the same genus. NORs are located at the secondary constriction to the telomere on the long arm of chromosome pair 5. There are no sex differences in karyotypes between males and females. FISH with d(GC)15 sequences were also displayed at the telomeres of most other chromosomes. We found that during metaphase I the homologous chromosomes showed synapsis, which can be defined as 19 ring bivalents and 17 haploid chromosomes (n=17) at metaphase II as a diploid species. The karyotype formula is as follows: 2n (34) = L4m+L6sm+M2t+S2m+S20t.

First Report on Classical and Molecular Cytogenetics of Doi Inthanon Bent-toed Gecko, Cyrtodactylus inthanon Kunya et al., 2015 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Thailand

This study analyzed the karyotype of Cyrtodactylus inthanon Kunya et al., 2015 from Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The metaphase and meiotic chromosome preparations were obtained by squash technique from bone marrow and testes, respectively. The chromosomes were stained by Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding and molecular cytogenetics with ?uorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using microsatellites d(CA)15, d(GC)15, d(CAG)10 and d(GAA)10 as probes. The results showed the diploid chromosome number (2n) of 40. The chromosome types of metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric and telocentric chromosomes were 12-4-2-22, respectively. The Ag-NORs banding technique provides the pair of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) on the telomeric region of the long arm of acrocentric pair 12. There are no sex differences in karyotypes between males and females. We also found that during metaphase I on meiosis of C. inthanon, the homologous chromosomes appeared synapsis of 20 bivalents. The microsatellite d(CA)15 signals were located on the sub-centromeric region of the metacentric pair 10, whereas the d(GC)15, d(CAG)10 and d(GAA)10 repeats are highly accumulated throughout almost all entire chromosomes. The karyotype formula is as follows: C. inthanon (2n = 40), Lm2 + Lsm4 + Lt6 + Mm2 + Mt8 + Sm8 + Sa2 + St8.

Chromosomal description of three Dixonius (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Thailand

Chromosomal characteristics and karyological analysis of three Dixonius, including D. hangseesom, D. siamensis and D. melanostictus, from Thailand were studied. Chromosome preparations were conducted by squash technique from bone marrow and testis. Conventional Giemsa’s staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques were applied to stain the chromosome. The results showed that the diploid chromosomes are 2n=40, for D. hangseesom and D. siamensis; and 2n=42, for D. melanostictus. The fundamental number (NF) is 42 in D. hangseesom and D. siamensis and 44 in D. melanostictus. The types of chromosomes were 2 metacentrics and 38 telocentrics for D. hangseesom and D. siamensis, while the karyotype of D. melanostictus comprised 2 acrocentrics and 40 telocentrics. In the D. hangseesom and D. siamensis, NORs are located to the near centromere on long arm of the telocentric chromosome pair 13. Although, the NORs of D. melanostictus are situated on the subtelomeric region of telocentric chromosome pair 8. There are no sex differences in karyotypes between males and females of these three geckos species. We found that during metaphase I and metaphase II on male meiosis of the D. hangseesom and D. siamensis, the homologous chromosomes showed synapsis of 20 bivalents and 20 haploid chromosomes (n=20). Moreover, metaphase I and metaphase II of the male D. melanostictus showed synapsis of 21 bivalents and 21 haploid chromosomes (n=21). Their karyotype formulas is as follows: D. hangseesom (2n=40): Lm2 + Lt2 + Mt4 + St32, D. siamensis (2n=40): Lm2 + Lt6 + Mt4 + St28, and D. melanostictus (2n=42): La2 + Lt12 + Mt4 + St24.

Karyomorphological delineation, and the NOR loci on the sex chromosome in three species of Chrysopeleinid (Chrysopeleinae: Colubridae) from Thailand

Abstract. Donbundit N, Bausriyod P, Tanomtong A, Srisamoot N, Sumontha M, Thongnetr W, Patawang I, Supiwong W, Ditcharoen S, Muanglen N, Kaewmad P. 2022. Karyomorphological delineation, and the NOR loci on the sex chromosome in three species of Chrysopeleinid (Chrysopeleinae: Colubridae) from Thailand. Biodiversitas 23: 3813-3819. The description of chromosomal characteristics of three snakes from Thailand namely, Ahaetulla fusca, A. prasina, and Chrysopelea ornata was by using conventional staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques. The results showed that the same diploid chromosome number (2n) = 36 (16 macrochromosomes + 20 microchromosomes) and the fundamental number (NF) was 54 while the karyotype formulae in these three species are as follows: A. fusca; 2n(36) = Lm6 + Sm2+ Ssm4 + Sa2+ ZZ/ZW + 20 microchromosomes, A. prasina; 2n(36) = Lm6+ Sm6+ Sa2+ ZZ/ZW + 20 microchromosomes and C. ornata; 2n(36) = Lm4+ Lsm2+ Sm2 + Ssm4+ Sa2+ ZZ/ZW + 20 microchromosomes. Besides, the ZZ/ZW sex chromosome was observed in all species, whereas C. ornata was discovered the heteromorphic sex chromosome for the first time. Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) are located on telomeric region of one pair in all species, while located on microchromosomes in A. fusca and A. prasina, whereas C. ornata was detected on sex chromosomes. Therefore, the Z chromosome revealed the NOR on the telomeric region of the long arm, while NOR of the W chromosome was located on the telomeric region of the short arm.

First Report on Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) Polymorphism and Constitutive Heterochromatin of Moonlight Gourami, Trichopodus microlepis (Perciformes, Osphronemidae)

Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) polymorphism, constitutive heterochromatin and chromosomal analysis of Moonlight gourami, Trichopodus microlepis in Thailand were firstly reported. Specimens were collected from the Chao Phraya and Mekong Basins, Thailand. The mitotic chromosomes were directly prepared from kidney tissues of ten males and ten females. Conventional staining, Ag-NOR banding and C- banding techniques were applied to stain the chromosomes. The results shown that the diploid chromosome number of T. microlepis was 2n=46 and the fundamental number (NF) was 46 in both males and females. The karyotype consisted of 46 telocentric chromosomes classifying as 14 large and 32 medium. No heteromorphic sex chromosome was observed in T. microlepis. The results also exhibited that the interstitial nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were clearly observed at the long arm of the chromosome pair 7. This is the first report on NORs polymorphism in T. microlepis that a heteromorphic NOR type in one female had a single NOR-bearing chromosome of the chromosome pair 7, whereas 10 males and nine females had two NOR-bearing chromosomes of the chromosome pair 7 with a homomorphic NOR type. Constitutive heterochromatins located at all centromeres of all chromosome pairs. The karyotype formula of T. microlepis is 2n (46) = Lt14 + Mt32.

A comparative chromosome study on five Minnow fishes (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) in Thailand

The cytogenetic comparisons of five Minnow species from Thailand were presented here, i.e., Devario regina, D. laoensis, Rasbora paviana, R. aurotaenia and Esomus metalicus. The mitotic chromosomes were prepared directly from renal cells. Conventional staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques were applied to stain the chromosomes. The results revealed that all Minnow fishes studied possessed the same diploid chromosome number (2n) as 50 chromosomes. The fundamental numbers (NF) of D. laoensis, D. regina, R. paviana, R. aurotaenia and E. metalicus are 100, 100, 98, 98, and 98 respectively. Their karyotypes composing of metacentrics-submetacentrics-acrocentrics-telocentrics were as follows: 6-12-32-0 in D. regina, 6-10-34-0 in D. laoensis, 8-16-24-2 in R. paviana, 8-16-24-2 in R. aurotaenia and 8-10-30-2 in E. metalicus. The Ag-NOR banding technique provides the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) at subtelomeric region of the short arm chromosome in the a submetacentric or acrocentric chromosomes that are located differently in the different chromosome pairs among species.

First report of karyological analysis and heteromorphic nucleolar organizer region of Black Surgeonfish (Acanthurus gahhm, Acanthuridae) in Thailand

This research was the first report on karyological analysis and heteromorphic nucleolar organizer region of black surgeonfish (Acanthurus gahhm, Acanthuridae) in Thailand. The 10 male and 10 female specimens were collected from Phuket Marine Biological Center, and Phang Nga Coastal Research and Development Center, Andaman Sea, Thailand. Mitotic chromosomes were directly prepared from gill and kidney tissues. The chromosomes were stained by conventional Giemsa staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques. Results showed that the diploid chromosomes number of A. gahhm was 2n=48, the fundamental numbers (NF) was 54 in both male and female. The karyotype consist of 6 large acrocentric, 20 large telocentric, 18 medium telocentric and 4 small telocentric chromosomes. None of strange size chromosomes related to sex was found. The heteromorphic nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were observed on telomeric short arm of first acrocentric which can defined as 1a1b. There is NOR in 1a and not in 1b. The karyotype formula of black surgeon fish was as follows: 2n (48) = La6+Lt20+Mt18+St4

Comparative cytogenetic analysis of fishes in the genus Trichopodus (Osphronemidae) in Thailand

Abstract. Supiwong W, Wongchantra P, Thongnetr W, Mingkwan B, Chaiyasan P, Pinmongkhonkul S, Pinthong K, Tanomtong A. 2021. Comparative cytogenetic analysis of fishes in the genus Trichopodus (Osphronemidae) in Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 3029-3036. Comparative cytogenetic study of four species of the genus Trichopodus including T. leerii, T. microlepis, T. pectoralis, and T. trichopterus from Thailand, was carried out. The specimens were collected from the Basins throughout Thailand. Chromosome preparation was directly performed from the kidney tissues. Conventional staining by Giemsa solution, Ag–NOR banding by silver nitrate solution and C-banding by NaOH solution were conducted to stain the chromosomes. Results showed that four species studied have the same diploid number and fundamental number as 46 composing of all telocentric chromosomes. Karyotypes consisting of large-medium-small sizes in T. leerii, T. microlepis, T. pectoralis and T. trichopterus were 16–28–2, 14–32–0, 20–26–0 and 10–30–6 chromosomes, respectively. The marker chromosomes which present the NOR positions are the single pair in all species but there are differences in the locations and pairs such as pairs no. 1, 7, 2 and 1, respectively. Most species except T. trichopterus, NOR sites locate at interstitial region adjacent to the centromere. T. trichopterus had the telomeric NORs. Constitutive heterochromatin blocks displayed at the centromeric/pericentromeric regions of all chromosomes in T. leerii and T. microlepis whereas in T. pectoralis and T. trichopterus, those presented at not only centromeres of several chromosome pairs, but they also were found at interstitial sites. The obtained finding, cytogenetic data has species-specific. Thus, it can be used for further study on taxonomy. Moreover, this data shows the close relationship of genetics among these species so that the application for breeding may be used in the future.

Comparative study of four Mystus species (Bagridae, Siluriformes) from Thailand: insights into their karyotypic diversity

Karyotypes of four catfishes of the genus Mystus Scopoli, 1777 (family Bagridae), M. atrifasciatus Fowler, 1937, M. mysticetus Roberts, 1992, M. singaringan (Bleeker, 1846) and M. wolffii (Bleeker, 1851), were analysed by conventional and Ag-NOR banding as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques. Microsatellite d(GC)15, d(CAA)10, d(CAT)10 and d(GAA)10 repeat probes were applied in FISH. The obtained data revealed that the four studied species have different chromosome complements. The diploid chromosome numbers (2n) and the fundamental numbers (NF) range between 52 and 102, 54 and 104, 56 and 98, or 58 and 108 in M. mysticetus, M. atrifasciatus, M. singaringan or M. wolffii, respectively. Karyotype formulae of M. mysticetus, M. atrifasciatus, M. singaringan and M. wolffii are 24m+26sm+4a, 26m+24sm+2a, 24m+18sm+14a and 30m+22sm+6a, respectively. A single pair of NORs was identified adjacent to the telomeres of the short arm of chromosome pairs 3 (metacentric) in M. atrifasciatus, 20 (submetacentric) in M. mysticetus, 15 (submetacentric) in M. singaringan, and 5 (metacentric) in M. wolffii. The d(GC)15, d(CAA)10, d(CAT)10 and d(GAA)10 repeats were abundantly distributed in species-specific patterns. Overall, we present a comparison of cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic patterns of four species from genus Mystus providing insights into their karyotype diversity in the genus.

Comparative study of four Mystus species (Bagridae, Siluriformes) from Thailand: insights into their karyotypic diversity.

Karyotypes of four catfishes of the genus Mystus Scopoli, 1777 (family Bagridae), M. atrifasciatus Fowler, 1937, M. mysticetus Roberts, 1992, M. singaringan (Bleeker, 1846) and M. wolffii (Bleeker, 1851), were analysed by conventional and Ag-NOR banding as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques. Microsatellite d(GC)15, d(CAA)10, d(CAT)10 and d(GAA)10 repeat probes were applied in FISH. The obtained data revealed that the four studied species have different chromosome complements. The diploid chromosome numbers (2n) and the fundamental numbers (NF) range between 52 and 102, 54 and 104, 56 and 98, or 58 and 108 in M. mysticetus, M. atrifasciatus, M. singaringan or M. wolffii, respectively. Karyotype formulae of M. mysticetus, M. atrifasciatus, M. singaringan and M. wolffii are 24m+26sm+4a, 26m+24sm+2a, 24m+18sm+14a and 30m+22sm+6a, respectively. A single pair of NORs was identified adjacent to the telomeres of the short arm of chromosome pairs 3 (metacentric) in M. atrifasciatus, 20 (submetacentric) in M. mysticetus, 15 (submetacentric) in M. singaringan, and 5 (metacentric) in M. wolffii. The d(GC)15, d(CAA)10, d(CAT)10 and d(GAA)10 repeats were abundantly distributed in species-specific patterns. Overall, we present a comparison of cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic patterns of four species from genus Mystus providing insights into their karyotype diversity in the genus.

Cytogenetic analysis of Hypomasticus copelandii and H. steindachneri: relevance of cytotaxonomic markers in the Anostomidae family (Characiformes).

Recent phylogenetic hypotheses within Anostomidae, based on morphological and molecular data, resulted in the description of new genera (Megaleporinus Ramirez, Birindelli et Galetti, 2017) and the synonymization of others, such as the reallocation of Leporinus copelandii Steindachner, 1875 and Leporinus steindachneri Eigenmann, 1907 to Hypomasticus Borodin, 1929. Despite high levels of conservatism of the chromosomal macrostructure in this family, species groups have been corroborated using banding patterns and the presence of different sex chromosome systems. Due to the absence of cytogenetic studies in H. copelandii (Steindachner, 1875) and H. steindachneri (Eigenmann, 1907), the goal of this study was to characterize their karyotypes and investigate the presence/absence of sex chromosome systems using different repetitive DNA probes. Cytogenetic techniques included: Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding and FISH using 18S and 5S rDNA probes, as well as microsatellite probes (CA)15 and (GA)15. Both species had 2n = 54, absence of heteromorphic sex chromosomes, one chromosome pair bearing Ag-NOR, 18S and 5S rDNA regions. The (CA)15 and (GA)15 probes marked mainly the subtelomeric regions of all chromosomes and were useful as species-specific chromosomal markers. Our results underline that chromosomal macrostructure is congruent with higher systematic arrangements in Anostomidae, while microsatellite probes are informative about autapomorphic differences between species.

Cytogenetics of Four Species of the Green Clade Aplastodiscus Lutz, 1950 (Anura: Cophomantinae): New Insights into the Chromosomal Evolution of the Genus

The tree frog Aplastodiscus is a Neotropical taxon that encompasses 15 species in the Atlantic forest biome, with one isolated species in the Central Brazilian Cerrado. To date, only 8 species have been karyotyped, showing high levels of diploid number variation, which allowed clustering species in chromosome number groups: 2n = 24 (Aplastodiscus perviridis group), 2n = 22 (Aplastodiscus albofrenatus group), 2n = 20, and 2n = 18 (both within Aplastodiscus albosignatus group). This study aims to report karyotypic information on 4 species from the last 2 groups using classical and molecular cytogenetic techniques and hypothesize chromosomal evolutionary trends within the species groups. Aplastodiscus weygoldti showed 2n = 22; Ag-NOR and FISH 18S rDNA signals were located in the interstitial region of the short arms of chromosome pair 6. Aplastodiscus cavicola, Aplastodiscus sp. 4, and Aplastodiscus sp. 6 showed 2n = 18; Ag-NOR and FISH 18S rDNA bands were located in the terminal region of the long arm of chromosome pair 9. Our results support multiple and independent chromosome fusion events within Aplastodiscus, including a new chromosome fission event. Ag-NOR and FISH 18S rDNA patterns were restricted to the small chromosome pairs, similar to the other species within this genus, and confirm overall chromosome morphology conservation among the genera of Cophomantinae.

Comparative karyotype study of three Cyprinids (Cyprinidae, Cyprininae) in Thailand by classical cytogenetic and FISH techniques.

Three species of ornamental fishes in the subfamily Cyprininae (family Cyprinidae) namely, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum (Fowler, 1934), Puntigrus partipentazona (Fowler, 1934), Scaphognathops bandanensis Boonyaratpalin et Srirungroj, 1971 were studied by classical cytogenetic and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques. Chromosomes were directly prepared from kidney tissues and stained by using conventional and Ag-NOR banding techniques. Microsatellite d(CA)15 and d(CGG)10 probes were hybridized to the chromosomes of three cyprinids. The results show that the three cyprinid species share the same diploid number as 2n=50 but there are differences in the fundamental number (NF) and karyotypes i.e. E. frenatum: NF = 78, 18m+10sm+10st+12a; P. partipentazona: NF = 80, 6m+24sm+14st+6a; S. bandanensis: NF = 66, 4m+12sm+34a. NOR positive masks were observed at the regions adjacent to the telomere of the short arm of the chromosome pairs 10 (submetacentric) and 1 (metacentric) in E. frenatum and P. partipentazona, respectively whereas those were revealed at telomeric regions of the long arm of the chromosome pair 9 (acrocentric) in S. bandanensis. The mapping of d(CA)15 and d(CGG)10 microsatellites shown that hybridization signals are abundantly distributed in telomeric regions of several pairs except d(CA)15 repeats in S. bandanensis, which are distributed throughout all chromosomes and d(CGG)10 repeats in P. partipentazona display the high accumulation only in the first chromosome pair.

The First Karyological Analysis of the Sixbar Grouper Epinephelus sexfasciatus (Valenciennes, 1828) (Perciformes, Epinephelinae)

This study examines for the first time of karyotypic analysis and chromosomal characteristic of nucleolar organizer regions/NORs of Epinephelus sexfasciatus. The fish samples were collected from Andaman Sea, Phuket province, southern Thailand. The chromosomes were investigated using conventional Giemsa’s staining and Ag-NORs banding techniques. Fish chromosome preparations were conducted by squash technique from kidney. The results showed that the diploid chromosome number of E. sexfasciatus was 2n=48 and the fundamental number (NF, number of chromosome arms) was 48. The type of chromosomes included 24 large telocentric and 24 medium telocentric chromosomes. After Ag-NOR banding technique, single pair of NORs was observed on the short arm of medium telocentric chromosome pair 23. The idiogram shows gradually decreasing length of the chromosomes. A size difference of the largest and the smallest chromosomes is approximately two folds. The karyotype formula could be infered as: 2n(48) = 2n(48)= Lt24+Mt24.

Türkiye’deki Turna Balığı, Esox lucius (Esocidae)’un Bantlı Karyotipleri

In this study, cytogenetic properties of E. lucius in Sakarya River were investigated using standard Giemsa staining, C- and Ag-NOR banding techniques. The number of diploid chromosomes (2n) of individuals studied is 50 and karyotype consists of 50 acrocentric chromosomes with decreasing sizes. Secondary constriction was observed on the third autosomal pair in the karyotype. Morphologically distinguishable sex chromosomes were not detected in male and female individuals. Some chromosomes were centromeric C-positive, while some chromosomes were negative. Active NOR is localized in the pericentromeric region of the third autosomal pair and it is related to C-heterochromatin. Our results are similar to those of other studies and this result shows that the cytogenetic properties of the species are quite stable. Moreover, these results may contribute to the cytogenetic and phylogenetic studies of the Esox species in the future.

First chromosome analysis of Thai pufferfish Pao cochinchinensis (Steindachner, 1866)

Abstract. Pissaparn M, Phimphan S, Chaiyasan P, Tanoamtong A, Liehr T, Suwannapoom C, Reungsing M, Supiwong W. 2020. First chromosome analysis of Thai pufferfish Pao cochinchinensis (Steindachner, 1866). Biodiversitas 21: 4309-4316. Here first analysis of chromosomes and nucleolar organizer region (NOR) pattern in pufferfish Pao cochinchinensis (Steindachner, 1866) was undertaken. Chromosomal preparations were obtained from kidney of P. cochinchinensis from Chi River basin in Thailand. Chromosomal characteristics were analyzed by Giemsa staining, Ag-NOR banding as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using microsatellites d(CA)15 and d(CGG)10 probes. P. cochinchinensis had 2n = 40 with the fundamental number (NF) 74, both in male and female. The karyotype exhibited 12 metacentric (m), 10 submetacentric (sm), 12 acrocentric (a) and 6 telocentric (t) chromosomes. No differentiated heteromorphic sex chromosomes were observed. NORs were located on short arms adjacent to telomere of the metacentric chromosome pair 4, which coincide with signals of d(CGG)10 probe. FISH with d(CGG)10 sequences were also displayed at the telomeres of most other chromosomes, whereas d(CA)15 repeats highly accumulated throughout almost all entire chromosomes except for centromeric regions. The results of conventional Giemsa staining presented the differentiation even the same genus. The localization of NORs on one pair of chromosomes only is a common characteristic found in many fish groups as well as other vertebrates. Mapping of two distinct microsatellites demonstrated the remarkable chromosomal diversification that characterizes evolution in the genus Pao. Both, conventional and molecular cytogenetics are excellent tools to study, and better understand chromosomal evolution, as well as to uncover biodiversity among fishes.

Karyotype analysis and nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of Sundaic yellow catfish, Hemibagrus capitulum (Siluriformes, Siluridae) in Thailand

This is the first report on karyo-morphological details and characteristic of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) of Sundaic yellow catfish, Hemibagrus capitulum (Siluriformes, Siluridae), from Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest, Narathiwat Province, Thailand.The mitotic chromosome preparations were prepared from kidney cells of ten male and eight female specimens. Conventional staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques were applied to stain the chromosomes. The results showed that the diploid chromosome number of H. capitulum was 2n = 56 and the fundamental number of both sexes was 108. The karyotype consists of 2 large metacentric, 8 large submetacentric, 2 large acrocentric, 18 medium metacentric, 12 medium submetacentric, 6 medium acrocentric, 4 medium telocentric, and 4 small metacentric chromosomes. None of strange size chromosomes related to sex was found. In addition, the telomeric NORs were clearly observed in the short arm of the submetacentric chromosome pair 16. The karyotype formula for H. capitulum is as follows: 2n = 56 = L2m + L8sm + L2a + M18m + M12sm + M6a + M4t + S4m.

Additional description of karyotype and meiotic features of Takydromus sexlineatus (Squamata, Lacertidae) from northeastern Thailand

This study determined the standardized karyotype and idiogram of Takydromus sexlineatus from Surin Province in northeastern Thailand. Mitotic metaphase chromosomes from bone marrow cells and different meiotic stage from testicular cells respectively were studied after staining with conventional Giemsa and Ag-NOR banding techniques for chromosome identification. The study was carried out with samples taken from both male and female T. sexlineatus, the sex of which was identified by external examination. The results showed that the diploid chromosome number of T. sexlineatus was 2n = 38 and the fundamental number (NF) was 38 in both male and female. Although chromosome study was done in both sexes of T. sexlineatus, this study does not identify the sex chromosomes. This is because of the limitation of the staining techniques used. Therefore, we did not conclude on the sex chromosome system in this species and all chromosomes were taken as autosomes. The types of autosomes observed were 16 large telocentric, 14 medium telocentric, and 6 small telocentric macrochromosomes and 2 microchromosomes. Our result is the new record in Thailand on this species and NOR characteristics by silver staining is the first report on NOR banding in this species. The karyotype formula of T. sexlineatus thus was found as: 2n(38) = L 16 t + M 14 t + S 6 t + 2 microchromosomes.

First report on classical and molecular cytogenetics of archerfish, Toxotes chatareus (Perciformes: Toxotidae)

A detailed account of liner delineation of chromosomes of archerfish, Toxotes chatareus (Perciformes: Toxotidae) employing conventional staining, NOR banding and molecular cytogenetics with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using 5S, 18S rDNAs and microsatellite d(CA)15, d(GA)15, d(CAA)10, d(CGG)10, and retrotransposonable Rex6 probes, is presented for the first time. The specimens were collected from the Chao Phraya River, Thailand. The mitotic chromosome preparations were directly carried out from kidney tissues of eight male and female fish each. The results revealed that the diploid chromosome number of T. chatareus was 2n = 48, the fundamental numbers (NF) were 50 in both male and female. The karyotype composed of two metacentric and 46 telocentric chromosomes. No irregularly sized chromosomes related to sex were observed. The nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were detected by Ag-NOR banding and 18S rDNA probe mapping. Both techniques revealed the presence NORs located on the long arm adjacent to the centromere of the single pair of the largest telomeric chromosome pair. The 5S rDNA sequences were located in two large telocentric pairs. One of them is coincident with 18S rDNA sites and another is found at interstitial subcentromeric region of the second telomeric pair. FISH with d(CA)15 and d(GA)15 probes showed that hybridization signals are abundantly distributed in all chromosomes, mostly in telomeric regions while d(CAA)10 and d(CGG)10 repeats are distributed in all chromosomes with high accumulation throughout the chromosomes in some pairs. Chromosomal mapping of the Rex 6 sequences, indicate a weak distribution in all chromosomes, with preferential accumulation at the centromere of the chromosome pair 7.