Caryologia. International Journal of Cytology, Cytosystematics and Cytogenetics 75(1): 109-121, 2022

Firenze University Press 
www.fupress.com/caryologia

ISSN 0008-7114 (print) | ISSN 2165-5391 (online) | DOI: 10.36253/caryologia-1362

Caryologia
International Journal of Cytology,  

Cytosystematics and Cytogenetics

Citation: Asim Iqbal Bazaz, Irfan 
Ahmad, Tasaduq H. Shah, Nafhat-ul-
Arab (2022) Karyomorphometric analysis 
of fresh water fish species of India, 
with special reference to cold water 
fishes of Kashmir Himalayas. A Mini 
Review. Caryologia 75(1): 109-121. doi: 
10.36253/caryologia-1362

Received: July 14, 2021

Accepted: March 28, 2022

Published: July 6, 2022

Copyright: © 2022 Asim Iqbal Bazaz, 
Irfan Ahmad, Tasaduq H. Shah, Naf-
hat-ul-Arab. This is an open access, 
peer-reviewed article published by 
Firenze University Press (http://www.
fupress.com/caryologia) and distributed 
under the terms of the Creative Com-
mons Attribution License, which per-
mits unrestricted use, distribution, and 
reproduction in any medium, provided 
the original author and source are 
credited.

Data Availability Statement: All rel-
evant data are within the paper and its 
Supporting Information files.

Competing Interests: The Author(s) 
declare(s) no conflict of interest.

Karyomorphometric analysis of fresh water 
fish species of India, with special reference to 
cold water fishes of Kashmir Himalayas. A Mini 
Review

Asim Iqbal Bazaz1, Irfan Ahmad2,*, Tasaduq H. Shah1, Nafhat-ul-
Arab3

1 Division of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST – Kashmir
2 Division of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST – Kashmir
3Division of Aquatic Environmental Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST – Kashmir
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ahmadirfan@skuastkashmir.ac.in

Abstract. Cytogenetics is the diagnostic study of chromosomal structure and proper-
ties, as well as cell division, using a variety of methods, one of which is “karyotyping.” 
It refers to a method of photographing a stained preparation in which the chromo-
somes are organised in a uniform pattern. The advent of modern techniques such as 
“karyotyping” has made it feasible to visualize  undetected chromosomal abnormali-
ties such as short chromosome segments and chromosome translocations. Because 
such techniques enabled  each pair of chromosomes to be identified separately, they 
have further  aided our understanding  of the chromosomal basis of a certain  signifi-
cant genetic diseases. Every organism has its own unique karyotype, which is defined 
by its number and shape. Karyotypic variation, on the other hand, occurs in differ-
ent individuals of the same species, as well as between different species. Monitoring 
cytogenetic data of economically significant fishes as well as threatened fishes can hold 
importance of the succeeding generations.  This review article highlights the variation 
in the chromosomal number & classification, methods of chromosome preparation and 
karyotypic analysis of various fish species of India with a special reference to fishes of 
Kashmir Himalayas.

Keywords: fish chromosomes, fish karyology, freshwater fish, Kashmir, Himalaya.

INTRODUCTION

The study of chromosome number, morphology and size at the meta-
phase stage is the basis of cytogenetics, which involves karyotype analysis. 
A species’ chromosomes can be arranged in size order. The karyotype is 
the full set of chromosomes grouped according to their number Shao et al. 
(2010). Karyotyping is the method of pairing and ordering all of an organ-
ism’s chromosomes, resulting in a genome-wide snapshot of the chromo-
somes of an individual. Karyotypes are produced using standardised stain-



110 Asim Iqbal Bazaz et al.

ing procedures that expose each chromosome’s specific 
structural features. Changes in chromosome number 
associated with aneuploid conditions may be revealed 
through karyotypes. More subtle structural shifts, such 
as chromosomal deletions, duplications, translocations, 
or inversions, can be identified by carefully studying 
karyotypes. Indeed, karyotypes are increasingly being 
used to diagnose birth defects, genetic disorders, and 
even cancers O’Connor (2008). DNA, which is packed 
into chromosomes, provides the blueprint for the devel-
opment and maintenance of an organism. Chromo-
somes are the elements that differentiate one species 
from another and allow genetic information to be passed 
down from generation to generation. Chromosomes are 
the vehicles that allow a species to replicate and sustain 
itself Ciccone et al. (2005) and De Ravel et al. (2006).

METHODS OF CHROMOSOME PREPARATION

The study of fish cytogenetics started as early as the 
last decade of the nineteenth century, when some idea of 
chromosomes was made possible by the studies of Retzi-
at (1989) on agnathan Myxine glutinosa, using histologi-
cally cut gonadal material. It was later understood that 
chromosome preparation could be obtained from all the 
tissues in which mitosis occurs. Since the 1960s, several 
methods have been used to study the chromosome of 
fish. Those employed involves  colchicine injections and 
squashes of the testes or haematopoietic tissues Ohno et 
al. (1965), corneal and conjunctival epithelium Drewry 
(1964), gill epithelium Chen and Ebling (1968), embry-
onic material Simon and Dollar (1963), in vitro tissue 
growth Roberts (1967), blood leukocytes in culture Oji-
ma et al. (1970) and epithelium scale Denton and Howell 
(1969). Improved techniques for the preparation of fish 
chromosomes were developed after the 1970s Nagpure 
et al. (2001).Tissue cultures Roberts (1964), squashing 
technique of the testis, and other karyotypic techniques 
have accompanied the advancement in cytogenetical 
studies of teleostean fishes. Roberts (1964); Ohno et al. 
(1965), embryonic tissues or haematopoetic materi-
als Simon (1963); Yamada (1967), smearing technique 
from gill epithelium McphaiL and Jones (1966); Stewart 
and Levin (1968), solid tissues like kidney Ojima et al. 
(1972); Arai (1973); Ueno and Ojima (1977), from regen-
erating fin tissue Cattin and Ferreira (1989); Volker et al. 
(2005) and air drying techniques Eicher (1966); Bertollo 
et al. (1978); Thode et al. (1988), together with colchicine 
treatment Yamazaki (1971). Dropping method was used 
in most previous studies to distribute cells from different 
tissues for chromosome preparation. For spreading and 

flattening metaphase chromosomes, the squash tech-
nique is the oldest process Denton (1973). The air dry-
ing process, on the other hand, is the most commonly 
used method for preparing animal chromosomes Evans 
et al. (1964). According to Chourrout and Happe (1986), 
modern chromosome preparation techniques using air 
drying after colchicine injection in young fish resulted in 
sufficient metaphase spreads Mcphail and Jones, (1966); 
Kligerman and Bloom (1977). However, these meth-
ods yielded some results, it was discovered that a large 
number of cells were lost during the cell dropping. Fur-
thermore, dropping the cells precisely on the preheated 
slides requires a high degree of technical ability. Some 
researchers have also attempted to prepare chromosome 
spreads by lowering cells from a certain height onto fro-
zen slides Ojima et al. (1964); Ida et al. (1978). For chro-
mosome preparations, researchers also tried incorpora-
tion of  hot steam and metal plates with a temperature 
gradient across their surface Henegariu et al. (2001).

Squash method

Squashes have been the most widely used meth-
ods of providing karyotyping material. Although an 
ancient  technique, it is still very effective because prep-
arations are possible from small pieces of tissue that 
can be separated without causing serious injury to the 
animal. For example, chromosome slides can be made 
from epithelium of  scale, gill  epithelium,  marginal bar-
bels and fins, and corneal tissue. One can even greatly 
improve mitotic activity in these tissues by triggering 
local injury and allowing it to heal. Squashing is typical-
ly performed in some stain-fixatives, such as aceto-car-
mine or aceto-orcein, after pre-treatment with hypotonic 
solution. In place of potassium chloride, sodium citrate, 
tap water or distilled water or even a 1.0 per cent tissue 
culture medium may be used. The ideal treatment time 
is between 20 and 30 minutes. A  good metaphase spread 
from the kidneys and gills of Labeo rohita and Cirrhi-
nus mrigala following the squash method was obtained 
by Khuda-Bukhsh and Chakraborty (1994).

Cell culture method

In terms of chromosome preparation, cell culture 
yielded promising results. Successful attempts have been 
made by Amemiya et al. (1984). However, Chen and 
Ebling (1975) contended that this method requires the 
killing of fish before tissues can be excised. Blood lym-
phocyte culture helps to overcome many of the limita-
tions mentioned above, as fish do not need to be killed, 



111Karyomorphometric analysis of fresh water fish species of India

so repeated samples can be taken if necessary and the 
number of mitoses is increased due to the need to stimu-
late mitogen lymphocytes Blaxhall (1983). The author 
also identified the use of phytohaemagglutinin-purified 
blood lymphocyte culture for karyotyping of Salmo trut-
ta L. and Cyprinus carpio L. (PHA-P). 

Staining of chromosomes

To distinguish the colourless chromosomes from 
the similarly colourless cytoplasm, staining is needed. 
For chromosome visualisation, the slides are stained 
with the required solution. Most commonly, the  Giem-
sa stain is used to stain slides. The use of filtered acet-
oricine as a stain was recorded by Mc Phail and Jones 
(1966). Arcement and Rachlin (1976) experimented with 
various stains, including Giemsa (normal or buffered), 
aceto-orcein, and aceto-cannine, and found that Giemsa 
standard provided the best results. However, the major-
ity of the workers proposed diluting Giemsa with phos-
phate buffer.

Chromosome banding techniques

The chromosomal band is defined as a segment of 
chromosomes, which can be differentiated from adjacent 
segments by being either lighter or darker depending on 
the staining technique involved. Chromatin is the sub-
stance that makes up chromosomes, and there are two 
types: euchromatin, which stains softly, and heterochro-
matin, which stains darkly. The arrangement and organ-
isation of chromosomes can be better understood with 
chromosome banding. The unambiguous identification 
of chromosomes in the karyotype, as well as the study 
of heteromorphism between and within organisms, 
is two of the most important applications of the band-
ing technique. Banding techniques may also be used to 
identify chromosome rearrangements that have taken 
place during the course of evolution. The different band-
ing techniques used today for the cytogenetic study are 
C-, G-, R-, Q-, and NOR-banding. Among these, NOR-
and C-banding are commonly used in fish Hartley and 
Horne (1985). G-banding was also tried, but only with 
little success Blaxhall (1983).The approach to slide prepa-
ration is vital, as incorrect spreading strategies can result 
in the chromosomes being washed out during the stain-
ing process. After slide  preparations, various staining 
techniques such as classic staining (e.g., aceto-orcein, 
haematoxylin, giemsa, wright and leishman stains) or 
banding techniques are employed to stain chromo-
somes for various purposes e.g., Q-banding, G-band-

ing, R-banding, C-banding and High Resolution band-
ing  Calado et al. (2013); Moore and Best (2001); Wang et 
al. (2010). Concentrated staining solutions and/or over 
incubation result in a dark background filling the space 
between chromatids, whereas diluted staining solutions 
and/or a short incubation period produce chromosomal 
spreads that are indistinguishable. 

Use of Colchicine

The most common microtubular poison is colchi-
cine. Colchicine inhibits spindle microtubules and dis-
perses metaphase chromosomes in the cytoplasm before 
nuclear envelope breakdown (NEB) in metaphase cells 
Caperta et al. (2006), whereas in D. rerio both colchicine 
concentration and incubation period were significantly 
influenced by larval age, and in C. gariepinus only col-
chicine incubation period was significantly influenced 
by larval age. It has previously been demonstrated that 
microtubule polymers are sensitive to physical and 
chemical parameters Tilney and Porter (1967); Weisen-
berg (1972). Therefore, age- and species-dependent cel-
lular parameters may influence the sensitivity of cells 
towards depolymerizing effects of colchicine. A spindle 
poison (e.g., colchicine) is used to arrest the cells at their 
metaphase stage in conventional chromosome prepara-
tion processes Kligerman and Bloom (1977). In order to 
achieve clear and identifiable metaphase chromosome 
spreads, it is essential to select the appropriate concen-
tration and incubation time for the poison Rieder and 
Palazzo (1992). While the cells cannot be stopped at 
metaphase stage with insufficient concentration and/or 
time spindle poisons exposure, extremely high concen-
trations or excessively long durations of exposure might 
lead to chromosome condensation Rieder and Palazzo 
(1992); Wood et al. (2001). Cells or larvae must be incu-
bated in a hypotonic solution following mitotic spindle 
inhibition to swell the nuclei and disperse the chromo-
somes on slides Moore and Best (2001). Using an appro-
priate hypotonic solution is the other critical element 
that has been emphasized in the current study. Potas-
sium chloride (KCl 0.075 M) is one of the most com-
monly used hypotonic solutions in chromosomal prepa-
ration protocols. Analogously, the efficacy of distilled 
water as a hypotonic treatment has been shown in some 
other protocols. When distilled water was used instead 
of KCl, the amount of clear metaphase chromosome 
spreads in C. gariepinus increased significantly. The use 
of KCl resulted in a lot of cell burst and chromosomal 
loss. Changes in the hypotonic solution, on the other 
hand, had no impact on the amount of metaphase chro-
mosome spreads in D. rerio. Karami et al. (2015) also 



112 Asim Iqbal Bazaz et al.

reported that the type of hypotonic solution used can 
be changed depending on the fish species and/or larval 
age in order to obtain a desired number of consistent 
chromosome spreads. Besides these aforementioned  ele-
ments, the researchers attempted to alter other essential 
aspects of chromosomal preparation protocols in their 
research. Their preliminary research also showed that 
the larvae should be killed before being incubated in 
colchicine solution, as incubating live larvae in the solu-
tion did not result in chromosome spread. Furthermore, 
the yolk sac should be extracted prior to incubation in 
colchicine to obtain direct chromosome spread Hussain 
and McAndrew (1994); Pradeep et al. (2011), because the 
yolk’s high lipophilicity can limit the penetration of col-
chicine or hypotonic solution into the cells Hussain and 
McAndrew (1994); Pradeep et al. (2011). 

Hypotonic Treatment

Hypotonic treatment is an important and cru-
cial factor in improving the chromosome spreads. This 
treatment helps in removal of lipid and denatures pro-
teins. Hypotonic treatment allows the swelling of the 
cell, which facilitates cell disruption and the dispersion 
of chromosomes when the cell contents are spread on 
slides. Ida et al. (1978) reported that the use of potas-
sium chloride showed the best chromosome spreads as 
compared to other two hypotonic solutions of sodium 
citrate and distilled water. Chourrout and Happe (1986) 
reported that the chromosome spreading was insuf-
ficient at 0.56% KCl for hypotonic treatment at a lower 
temperature in the rainbow trout. However, the same 
concentration of KCl showed slightly better results when 
the experiments were performed at ambient tempera-
ture. According to the same author trisodium citrate 
as hypotonic treatment gave significant improvement 
in chromosome spreading. Pradeep et al. (2011) used 
50% acetic acid during the chopping of tissues, but sim-
ple distilled water, produced better suspensions. In the 
modified technique, different durations of staining along 
with different concentrations of giemsa stain were also 
tried. A concentration of 5% giemsa stain for 20 minutes 
of treatment as described by Bayat and Woznicki (2006) 
was not very effective. Moreover, counting of the chro-
mosomes was found difficult at a concentration of 20% 
as suggested by Don and Avtalion (1986). Changing 
timing and concentrations of giemsa stain significantly 
affected the visibility and brightness of the spreads on 
the slides. A concentration of 10% giemsa stain prepared 
in 0.01 M phosphate buffer of pH 7 for 20 minutes, as 
described by Hussain and Mcandrew (1994) was very 
effective in obtaining clear images.

The majority of genetic defects are caused by chro-
mosomal abnormalities. Cytogenetics is the diagnostic 
study of chromosome structure and properties, as well 
as cell division, using a number of techniques, one of 
which is “karyotyping.” It refers to a method of photo-
graphing a stained preparation in which the chromo-
somes are organised in a uniform pattern. The advance-
ment of newer techniques such as “karyotyping” has 
made it possible to see previously undetected chromo-
somal abnormalities such as small chromosome seg-
ments and chromosome translocations, Veerabhadrappa 
(2016).

Colchicine injections and squashes of the testes or 
haematopoietic tissues are among the techniques used 
Roberts (1964); Ohno et al. (1965), corneal and conjunc-
tival epithelium Sick et al. (1962); Drewry (1964), gill 
epithelium McPhail and Jones (1966); Chen and Ebling 
(1968), embryological material Simon (1963); Simon and 
Dollar (1963), sectioning of testes Nogusa (1960), growth 
of various tissues in vitro Roberts (1964); (1966); (1967), 
blood leukocytes in culture Heckman and Brubaker 
(1970); Ojima et al. (1970), scale epithelium Denton and 
Howell (1969). A good quality review of some of these 
methods was made by Roberts (1967).

In several classes of plants and animals, karyological 
characteristics have proved to be a useful tool in taxo-
nomic and evolutionary studies. Fish cytology has been 
used by few ichthyologists because the chromosomes 
are tiny and the available techniques have often yielded 
distorted counts and limited morphological informa-
tion. The use of squash preparations of gill arch epithe-
lial cells in karyological methods produced satisfactory 
results. The gill arch technique defined by McPhail and 
Jones (1966) was used with modifications that improved 
the performance Lieppman and Hubbs (1969).

In aquaculture, the study of karyotype is also sig-
nificant because of the use of chromosome manipulation 
techniques such as induction of polyploidy, gynogenesis, 
androgenesis, and inter or intra-specific hybridization 
Wu et al. (1986); Diter et al. (1993). Karyological studies 
can help resolve a number of evolutionary and genetic 
questions about animals Macgregor (1993), and chromo-
somal analysis can help determine changes that trans-
formed an ancestral karyotype as it transformed into 
new lines Winkler et al. (2004). Chromosomal analysis 
is also important for genetic regulation, taxonomy, and 
evolutionary studies Macgregor and Varly (1993); Fister 
et al. (1999); Suleyman et al. (2004) and is widely use in 
various investigations Pisano et al. (2007).

When comparing karyotypes among related fishes, 
chromosome number, arm number, and DNA volume 
can be exemplified. When one is viewed alone, it may 



113Karyomorphometric analysis of fresh water fish species of India

lead to erroneous conclusions. Centromeric fusion can 
minimise chromosome number without affecting chro-
matin content fundamentally. Similarly, unequal recip-
rocal translocations may change arm numbers but have 
little impact on chromatin Booke (1968). Polyploidy can 
result in substantial changes, suggesting greater phyloge-
netic effects than previously thought Ohno et al. (1967).

In India, the analysis of fish chromosomes began 
in the 1960s, and of the approximately 2000 species of 
inland and marine fish studied for karyological informa-
tion, over 200 species are native to the region, includ-
ing both freshwater and marine species. Das and Barat 
(1995) for instance, Schizothorax richardsonii Sharma et 
al. (1992); Lakara et al. (1997); Barat et al. (1997), Schi-
zothorichthys prograstus Rishi et al. (1983), S. kumaon-
ensis, Lakara et al. (1997); Rishi et al. (1998), Catla catla 
and Mystus vittatus John et al. (1992), Labeo John et al. 
(1993), Tor khudree and Tor mussullah Kushwaha et al. 
(2001), Heteropneustes fossilis Kushwaha et al. (2002), 
Labeo rohita Nagpure (1997), Clarias gariepinus Nag-
pure et al.(2000), Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cir-
rhinus mrigala Nagpure et al. (2001). Labeo dussum-
ieri, Horabagrus brachysoma and Puntius filamentosus 
Nagpure et al. (2004), Horabagrus nigricollaris, Puntius 
denisonii and Puntius sarana subnasutus Nagpure et al. 
(2004). Though their taxonomy has been studied by sev-
eral workers in the past Heckel (1838); Mcclelland (1839); 
Silas (1960); Talwar and Jhingran (1991); Kullander et al. 
(1999), there is still a lot of uncertainty about the exact 
number of species occurring in different aquatic ecosys-
tems of the valley. This is complicated even further by 
the fact that hybrids of some of these species have been 
reported Heckel (1838) and Hora (1936). As a result, 
despite its value as a food fishery, this species complex 
has not been studied for its nutritional and biochemical 
components, nor has it been commercially cultured.

Ganai et al. (2011) studied five recognized species 
of Schizothorax viz., Schizothorax niger, S. esocinus, S. 
curvifrons, S. plagiostomus and S. labiatus for various 
karyological features. Somatic complement of Schizotho-
rax niger showed a diploid number of 98 chromosome 
pairs, including 12 metacentric pairs, 16 sub-metacentric 

pairs, 11 sub-telocentric pairs, and 10 telocentric pairs. 
The diploid complement of Schizothorax esocinus was 
98, with 15 metacentric chromosome pairs, 11 sub-meta-
centric pairs, 5 sub-telocentric pairs, and 18 telocentric 
pairs. The diploid complement of Schizothorax labiatus 
was 98, with 12 metacentric pairs, 10 sub-metacentric 
pairs, 1 sub-telocentric pair, and 26 telocentric pairs. 
The somatic complement of Schizothorax plagiostomus 
was 96, with 12 metacentric pairs, 9 sub-metacentric 
pairs, and 27 telocentric pairs. Schizothorax curvifrons 
had a diploid chromosomal complement of 94 chromo-
somes: 13 metacentric pairs, 10 submetacentric pairs, 10 
subtelocentric pairs, and 14 telocentric pairs. S. niger, S. 
esocinus, and S. labiatus, three of the five species exam-
ined, had a diploid number of 98 and a fundamental 
arm number of FN of 154, 150, and 142, respectively. 
Intra-chromosomal changes involving pericentric and 
paracentric inversion, as well as centromeric shifts, could 
explain the difference in the fundamental arm number 
without a change in the 2n Rishi et al. (1998).

The karyotypes of the two species indicate that in 
S. esocinus, there was simultaneous fusion of telocentric 
and fission of metacentric chromosomes, resulting in the 
karyotype of S. niger. This is due to the fact that S. niger 
has more biarmed chromosomes than S. esocinus, and 
a karyotype of biarmed chromosomes is generally con-
sidered to reflect a derived condition Ohno et al. (1968); 
Ohno (1970); Denton (1973); Gold (1979). The karyo-
type of S. labiatus tends to be characterized by the same 
forms of chromosomal rearrangements. Except for S. 
plagiostomus, the chromosomes of all five Schizothorax 
species were divided into four groups: metacentric, sub-
metacentric, subtelocentric, and telocentric, according to 
Levan et al. 1964.  The overall similarity in chromosome 
number and morphology suggested that Schizothorax 
species are closely related in that they have not been sep-
arated as evolving organisms long enough for random 
chromosome changes to have occurred and become set, 
and that a particular karyotype will be selected implies 
an adaptive advantage for that specific configuration. 
For chromosome differences observed in Fundulus Chen 
(1971) and rivulines, this hypothesis has been proposed 
Scheel (1972). Cyprinid karyotypes have had system-
atic implications Joswiak et al. (1980) since comparative 
karyology has been a useful method in fish systematic 
studies Arai (1982); Buth et al. (1991) because chromo-
some number and morphology indicate changes that 
altered an ancestral karyotype as it developed into new 
lines Winkler et al. (2004) and are useful for addressing 
a range of genetic, genetological, and evolutionary genet-
ic and cyto-taxonomic questions about animals Kirpich-
nikov (1981); Mcgregor (1993).

Table 1. Nomenclature for designating chromosome type Levan et 
al. (1964).

Centromeric Position Arm Ratio Chromosome type Symbol

Median 1.00-1.70 Metacentric M
Sub-median 1.71-3.00 Sub-metacentric Sm
Sub-terminal   3.01-7.00 Sub-telocentric St
Terminal >7.01 Acrocentric A



114 Asim Iqbal Bazaz et al.

VARIATION IN THE CHROMOSOMAL NUMBER & 
CLASSIFICATION

Ganai and Yousuf (2011) observed diploid number 
per metaphasic plate ranged from 47 to 50. A modal 
diploid number of 2n = 50 constituted 72.5% (22 m+16 
Sm+12 t) and 2n = 48 constituted 20% of the counted 
metaphase plates. Other diploid numbers other than 2n 
= 50 are usually the result of losses or additions during 
the karyotype preparation, including splashing due to 
their downfall from various heights from nearby cells, 
as reported in other studies (Suleyman et al. (2004); 
Esmaeli and Piraver (2006); Nasri et al. (2010). Ganai 

and Yousuf (2011) obtained proper metaphasic plate 
chromosomal indicators including eleven metacentric, 
eight sub-metacentric and six telocentric pairs respec-
tively and fundamental number as FN = 88. Comparison 
with already worked out species of P. conchonius in Jam-
mu and other parts of the country Sharma and Agar-
wal (1981); Tripathi and Sharma (1987) reveals that it is 
a new cytotype, inhabiting Dal lake, Kashmir. The most 
commonly occuring diploid number in family cyprini-
dae is 50, considered to be the modal number in case of 
this family Manna (1984); Rishi (1989). According to the 
studies performed by various workers on Puntius species 
of India Tripathi and Sharma (1987), it seems that 2n 

Table 2. Chromosome classification of various Schizothorax species, worked out in Kashmir valley (m = metacentric; Sm = sub-metacen-
tric; St = sub-telocentric; t = telocentric; NF = fundamental arm number).

S. No. Name of the species 2n m Sm St t NF value Author and Year

1 Schizothorax niger 98 24 32 22 20 154 Ganaie et al. (2011)
2 Schizothorax  esocinus 98 30 22 10 36 150 Ganaie et al. (2011)
3 Schizothorax labiatus 98 24 20 2 52 142 Ganaie et al. (2011)
4 Schizothorax plagiostomus 96 24 18 54 138 Ganaie et al. (2011)
5 Schizothorax curvifrons 94 26 20 20 28 140 Ganaie et al. (2011)

Table 3. Karyotypic analysis of various fresh water fish species.

Species Family
Diploid

 (2n)
Chromosome formula (2n) Authors

1. Oncorhynchus mykiss Salmonidae 56-65 24 M +20 SM + 16 T Vasave et al. (2016)
2. Cyprinus carpio Cyprinidae 97 24 M +24 SM + 52 T Khuda-Bukhsh and Barat (1987)
3. Ctenopharyngodon idella Cyprinidae 48 14M+20SM+8St+6T Manna (1983)
4. Botia birdi Botiidae 98 14 M+18 SM+ 4St + 62 T Khuda-Bukhsh and Nayak (1982) 
5. Tor tor Cyprinidae 100 24 M+ 24SM+ 6 St + 46 A Khuda-Bukhsh (1980) 
6. Schizothorax curvifrons Cyprinidae 94 26M+20SM+20St+28T Ganai et al. (2014) 
7. Schizothorax niger Cyprinidae 98 22 M +26 SM + 8 St + 42T Khuda-Bukhsh and Nayak (1982) 
8. Tor putitora Cyprinidae 100 10 M+24 SM+ 14St + 52 T Khuda-Bukhsh (1980) 
9. Schizothorax esocinus Cyprinidae 98 30M+22SM+10St+36T Ganai et al. (2014)
10. Schizothorax plagiostomus Cyprinidae 96 24M+18SM+54T Ganai et al. (2014)
11. Cirrhinus mrigala Cyprinidae 50 12 M+ 18SM + l0St + l0 T Zhang and Reddy (1991)
12. Crossocheilus dipiocheilus Cyprinidae 48 12M+36A Manna (1983)

13. Carassius carassius Cyprinidae
98/
100

24 M +26 SM + 12St + 36A
20 M +36 SM + 44 (St + A)

Singh (1983)
Spoz et al. (2014)

14. Carassius auratus Cyprinidae 96 12 M +36 SM + 48 A Rishi (l981)
15. Garra gotyla Cyprinidae 50 14 M +10 SM + l0 St + 16 T Khuda-Bukhsh (1984)
16. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Cyprinidae 48 20 M +12 SM + 6St+ l0T Manna and Khuda-Bukhsh (1977)

17. Puntius conchonius Cyprinidae
48
50

10 M +20 SM + 10St + 8 T
16 M +24 SM + 2 St + 8 T

Barat (1985); Khuda-Bukhsh et al. (1986) 

18. Nemacheilus moreh Nemacheilidae 50 24 M + 22 SM + 4 T Chanda (1989)
19. Puntius ticto Cyprinidae 50 14M+ 18SM + 14ST + 4T Bano et al. (2015)
20. Schizothorax richarsonii Cyprinidae 96 18 M +16SM +12ST+ 50T Vasave et al. (2016)



115Karyomorphometric analysis of fresh water fish species of India

= 50 in the genus Puntius, as in many other cyprinids. 
Despite the similarity of the diploid number in species 
of Puntius, there are differences in their karyotype for-
mulae. Nayyar (1964) reported the presence of all acro-
centric chromosomes in P. conchonius. Barman (2003) 
also confirms the presence of both biarmed and acro-
centric chromosomes. The primitive teleost karyotype is 
thought to have consisted of 46 to 48 acrocentrics, Nay-
yar (1966); Ohno et al. (1968); Ohno (1970); Fitzsimons 
(1972); LeGrande (1975). Karyotypes with biarmed chro-
mosomes are generally regarded to represent a derived 
condition Ohno et al. (1968); Ohno (1970); Denton 
(1973); Gold (1979). 

Ganai et al. (2011) reported both the species of Schi-
zothorax analysed cytologically, revealed a high number 
of chromosomes ranging from 94 to 98. All the Schi-
zothorax species studied karyologically till date S. rich-
ardsonii Gray and S. kumaonensis Menon, Lakara et al. 
(1997); S. zarudnyi, Nikolskii, Kalbassi et al. (2008); S. 
plagiostomus and S. esocinus Ganai et al. (2011) show a 
high chromosome number ranging from 96 to 98. Spe-
cies with high numbers are considered to have resulted 
through polyploidy from ancestral 2n= 48 or 50 Rishi et 
al. (1998). Such genomic enlargements have been hypoth-
esised as key factors that enable or even drive diversifi-
cation in various vertebrate groups Holland et al. (1994); 
Meyer and Malaga-trillo (1999); Navarro and Barton 
(2003a, b); Ohno (1970). Variation in the karyotypic 
configuration of S. Niger (24m + 32sm + 22st + 20t and 
FN=154) and S. curvifrons (26m+20sm+20st+28t) and 
FN=140 can easily be explained by centric fusion and fis-
sion events. Both centric fission and fusion probably pro-
vide important mechanisms to explain the diverse range 
of chromosome numbers observed in many mammalian 
and non-mam-malian animal taxa Todd (1970); Imai et 
al. (1986), Kolnicki (2000). Decrease in 2n and FN in S. 
curvifrons may be attributed to Robertsonian arrange-
ments and pericentric inversion Choudhury et al. (1982); 
Ganai et al. (2011) also reported despite overlap in the 
general morphological features, the two species of Schi-
zothorax investigated are genetically different and hence 
definite species as the chromosomal differentiation in 
animal species usually precedes strong morphological 
differentiation Howell and Villa (1976). Most morpholog-
ic features of fishes have been shown to have the poten-
tial of being modified by the environmental conditions 
Svardson (1965); Fowler (1970). Therefore, a morphologi-
cally based classification should be tested by the features 
not likely to be environmentally false and chromosome 
structure is best suited for this purpose as it reflects 
genetic divergence and is least affected by environmental 
distortion, Campos (1972). 

Barat et al. (2012) reported the majority (85%) of 
cells had metaphase complements containing 2n = 50 
chromosomes, though a few metaphases had a range 
of 46 to 52 chromosomes. The karyotypic formula was 
detected as 2n = 12m (metacentric) + 14sm (sub-meta-
centric) + 10st (subtelocentric) + 14T (telocentric) with 
a fundamental arm number (NF) of 80. However, most 
of the members of the family Cobitidae had a diploid 
chromosome number (2n) of 50, with just a few species 
– Botia birdi, B. macroracantha and B. Dario – with a 
diploid chromosome number of 90–98 Khuda-Bukhsh 
et al. (1986). Therefore, the modal chromosome num-
ber in this family could be ascertained as 50 Barat et al. 
(2012).

ADVANTAGES & APPLICATIONS

• Karyological studies have made a substantial 
contribution to various fields in fisheries like systemat-
ics, evolution, mutagenesis, aquaculture, phylogenetic 
relationship and hybridization Kligermann and Bloom 
(1977).
• Chromosomal analysis is important for fish breed-

ing from the viewpoint of genetic control Kirpich-
nikov (1981).

• Besides, Karyological studies also generate informa-
tion about genetic diversity in natural fish popula-
tion, which is imperative in the conservation and 
stock management Kligermann and Bloom (1977).

• Karyological studies have provided basic informa-
tion on the number, size and morphology of chro-
mosomes that is important to undertake chromo-
some manipulations in fish Khan et al. (2000).

• Since 1960s, karyological studies in teleost fish have 
made noteworthy contributions to increasing knowl-
edge in the fields of genetics, taxonomy and envi-
ronmental toxicology Cucchi and Baruffaldi (1990).

• Karyotyping helps in analyzing the entire genome. 
It can visualize individual cells and individual chro-
mosomes. 

• Many cy togenetic techniques are useful in fish 
breeding and culture practices such as:

• Ploidy determination Rishi and Haobam (1984)
• Hybrid identification Manna (1989)
• Sex determination Manna (1989) 
• Genotoxicity study of the pollutants Rishi (1989).
• Further cytogenetic characterization of threatened 

species is useful in drawing programmes for conser-
vation and stock management John et al. (1994).



116 Asim Iqbal Bazaz et al.

CONCLUSION

Karyological studies have provided basic informa-
tion on the number, size and morphology of chromo-
somes that is important to undertake chromosome 
manipulations in fish. The development of newer tech-
niques such as “karyotyping” has made it possible to 
visualize undetected chromosomal anomalies such as 
small portions of chromosomes and translocations of 
tiny parts of chromosomes to one another. Because such 
procedures also enabled each pair of chromosomes to be 
distinguished individually, it has helped to further our 
understanding of chromosomal basis of certain impor-
tant genetic disorders. Chromosomal analysis is impor-
tant for fish breeding from the viewpoint of genetic con-
trol. Indigenous species of Kashmir (Schizothorax sps.) 
analysed cytologically, revealed a high number of chro-
mosomes ranging from 94 (Schizothorax curvifrons) to 
98 (Schizothorax niger). The NF value of Schizothorax 
species of Kashmir valley ranged from 138 (Schizothorax 
plageostomus) to 154 (Schizothorax niger).

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