Caryologia. International Journal of Cytology, Cytosystematics and Cytogenetics 75(3): 39-46, 2022

Firenze University Press 
www.fupress.com/caryologia

ISSN 0008-7114 (print) | ISSN 2165-5391 (online) | DOI: 10.36253/caryologia-1611

Caryologia
International Journal of Cytology,  

Cytosystematics and Cytogenetics

Citation: A Cius, CA Lorscheider, LM 
Barbosa, AC Prizon, CH Zawadzki, 
LA Borin-Carvalho, FE Porto, ALB 
Portela-Castro (2022). Contributions of 
species Rineloricaria pentamaculata 
(Loricariidae:Loricariinae) in a kary-
oevolutionary context. Caryologia 75(3): 
39-46. doi: 10.36253/caryologia-1611

Received: March 28, 2022

Accepted: November 23, 2022

Published: April 5, 2023

Copyright: © 2022 A Cius, CA Lorsc-
heider, LM Barbosa, AC Prizon, CH 
Zawadzki, LA Borin-Car valho, FE 
Porto, ALB Portela-Castro. This is 
an open access, peer-reviewed arti-
cle published by Firenze University 
Press (http://www.fupress.com/caryo-
logia) and distributed under the terms 
of the Creative Commons Attribution 
License, which permits 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.

Contributions of species Rineloricaria 
pentamaculata (Loricariidae:Loricariinae) in a 
karyoevolutionary context

A Cius¹, CA Lorscheider2, LM Barbosa¹, AC Prizon¹, CH Zawadzki3, LA 
Borin-Carvalho¹, FE Porto4, ALB Portela-Castro1,4

¹ Departamento de Biotecnologia, Genética e Biologia Celular, Universidade Estadual de 
Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, 87020-900, Maringá – Paraná, Brasil
2 Colegiado de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Paraná, Campus União da 
Vitória, Praça Coronel Amazônas, s/n, 86400-000, União da Vitória - Paraná, Brasil
3 Departamento de Biologia/Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura 
(Nupélia), Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, 87020-900, Mar-
ingá – Paraná, Brasil
4 Departamento de Ciências do Movimento Humano, Campus Regional do Vale do Ivaí, 
Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Espanha, s/n, 86870-000 Ivaiporã-Paraná, 
Brasil
5 Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aquicultura (Nupélia), Universidade 
Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, 87020-900, Maringá – Paraná, Brasil
*Corresponding author. E-mail: ferpsaparolli@uem.br

Abstract. Species of Rineloricaria demonstrate an interesting evolutionary history 
from a cytogenetic point of view, due to the occurrence of extensive variation in dip-
loid number (2n=36 -70 chromosomes), with Robertsonian rearrangements mostly 
responsible for this karyotypic diversity. In this study we present the karyotypic data 
for a population of Rineloricaria pentamaculata, collected in the Itiz stream, a tribu-
tary of the Paraná River Basin (Paraná, Brazil), which exhibited 2n=56 chromosomes 
distributed in 8m/sm+48st/a (number fundamental equal to 64) and simple NOR sys-
tem revealed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with 18S rDNA probe, silver 
nitrate and positive C band, located on the first submetacentric chromosome pair (pair 
5). In addition, the NOR pair showed a size heteromorphism for this region, rich in 
GC composition (positive CMA3). Clusters of 5S rDNA were located in 14 chromo-
somes and the FISH with a telomeric probe was used to map possible evidence of 
chromosomal fusions, however, it showed only telomeric sites. These results corrobo-
rate the data for the species R. pentamaculata and the genus Rineloricaria, showing that 
they are similar to most of the populations analyzed. About the cytogenetic data of R. 
pentamaculata, we reaffirm that most populations were conserved, but in those with 
derived characteristics, Robertsonian chromosomal rearrangements probably contrib-
uted to the karyotypic evolution of the group.

Keywords: Rineloricaria, chromosomal rearrangements, cytogenetics, Paraná River 
Basin, karyotypic evolution.



40 A. Cius et al.

INTRODUCTION

The subfamily Loricariinae contain 252 valid spe-
cies distributed by basins of Central and South Amer-
ica, and although morphologically the group is con-
sidered monophyletic, taxonomic problems have been 
reported, for example, the tribe Loricariini several spe-
cies have similar descriptions (Costa-Silva 2015; Roxo 
et al. 2019). The genus Rineloricaria (Bleeker 1982) is 
the most numerous genus in the subfamily Loricarii-
nae (Tribe Loricariini), currently consisting of 78 valid 
species (Fricke and Eschmeyer et al., 2022), distributed 
throughout the Neotropical region, from the Panama to 
Argentina, occupying a wide variety of habitats and with 
restricted information on genetic diversity (Rodriguez 
and Reis 2008; Vera-Alcaraz et al. 2012). Rineloricaria is 
also considered a monophyletic táxon, however, it pre-
sents historical taxonomic problems such as some syn-
onymous species (Hemiloricaria Bleeker 1862, Ixiandria 
Regan 1906, Fonchiichtys Isbrücker and Michels 2001 
and Leliella Isbrücker, 2001), species complex (R. heter-
optera Isbrücker and Nijssen 1976, R. lima Kner 1853, 
R. cadeae Hensel 1868, R. strigilata Hensel 1868 and R. 
lanceolata Günther 1868) and doubts about the identity 
of the genus, due to loss of specimen data from the type 
locality (Costa-Silva 2015; Covain et al. 2016; Venturelli 
et al. 2021). Rineloricaria pentamaculata was described 
by Langeani and Araújo (1994) from specimens collected 
in the Turvo River (Ourinhos, SP) in the Upper Paraná 
River basin and has been collected in different environ-
ments of the upper Paraná River basin (Table 1).

Although cytogenetic studies in Rineloricaria are 
scarce and were performed in only 16 species (Giuliano-
Caetano 1998; Alves et al. 2003; Maia et al. 2010; Rod-
rigues 2010; Porto et al. 2011; Rosa et al. 2012; Porto et 
al. 2014; Ventureli 2014, Primo et al. 2017; Guloski et al 
2018, Takagui et al. 2020; Venturelli et al. 2021), these 
studies have contributed as an important support for 
studies in species taxonomically complex. Considerable 
karyotype diversity has been reported in genus, with 
diploid numbers ranging from 2n=36 in Rineloricaria 
latirostris (Giuliano-Caetano 1998) to 2n=70 in R. lima 
(Rosa et al. 2012). In addition, chromosomal polymor-
phisms (structural and numerical) were found in six 
species, called: R. latirostris (Giuliano-Caetano 1998), R. 
pentamaculata (Porto et al. 2011; Primo et al. 2017), R. 
lima (Rosa et al. 2012), R. lanceolata (Porto et al. 2014). 

Robertsoninan chromosomal rearrangements are 
suggested as the main involved in of karyotypic evolu-
tion of Rineloricaria, as they would explain the origin of 
chromosomal polymorphisms and the extensive numeri-
cal and structural chromosomal diversity detected in 

species of genus (Alves et al. 2005; Porto et al. 2011; Por-
to et al. 2014). This hypothesis has been investigated and 
supported due to evidence of occurrence of these rear-
rangements in chromosomes of some species. Cytoge-
netic techniques have supported this proposition, such 
as FISH using 5S rDNA and telomeric probes, showed 
interstitial telomeric sites (ITS) co-located with 5S rDNA 
sites on specific chromosomes, in addition to detecting 
transposable elements associated with sequences of 5S 
rDNA. (Rosa et al. 2012; Porto et al. 2014; Primo et al. 
2017; Guloski et al. 2018). 

Cytogenetic studies carried out in Rineloricaria 
pentamaculata show that most populations have con-
served characteristics, in relation to karyotype, location 
and simple NOR system and distribution of constitu-
tive heterochromatin. However, in some populations 
cytogenetic diversity was observed, due to reports of B 
chromosomes, intrapopulational and interpopulational 
karyotypic differences, multiple NOR system and vari-
ation with respect to the location and amount of chro-
mosomes with 5S rDNA sites 5S (Porto et al. 2010- 2011; 
Venturelli 2014; Primo et al. 2017). 

This study consists of the cytogenetic characteriza-
tion of R. pentamaculata from the Itiz stream (Rio Ivaí 
sub-basin, Upper Rio Paraná Basin) located in the city 
of Marialva (Paraná-Brazil), using classical cytogenetic 
techniques and physical chromosomal mapping of 18S 
and 5S rDNA, telomeric sequences. Thus, we compile 
and discuss the cytogenetic data available for the species 
R. pentamaculata, highlighting the similarities and vari-
ations found in the different populations with inferences 
about karyoevolutionary aspects in this group. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cytogenetic analysis was conducted on 16 speci-
mens (9 females and 7 males) identified as Rineloricaria 
pentamaculata (NUP 17750 1), collected from the Itiz 
stream, a small tributary of the Ivaí River (basin of the 
upper Paraná River, Paraná state, Brazil), Voucher speci-
mens were deposited in the Ichthyological Collection of 
the Limnology, Ichthyology and Aquaculture Research 
Center (Nupélia) at Maringá State University, Paraná, 
Brazil. The protocols used in this study were submit-
ted and reviewed by the Ethics Committee on Animal 
Experimentation (Protocol 07/2011) of the Maringá State 
University.

The mitotic chromosomes of R. pentamaculata were 
obtained from kidney cells as described by Bertollo et 
al. (1978). Chromosomal banding was performed for 
detection of constitutive heterochromatin by the C-band 



41Contributions of species Rineloricaria pentamaculata (Loricariidae:Loricariinae) in a karyoevolutionary context

technique (Sumner 1972) and double staining using the 
f luorochromes chromomycin A3 (CMA3) and DAPI, 
according to Schweizer (1976). Nucleolus organizer 
regions were labeled by silver nitrate (Ag-NO3) staining 
as described by Howell and Black (1980). Fluorescent in 
situ hybridization (FISH) using 18S and 5S rDNA probes 
was performed based on Pinkel et al (1986).

The 18S rDNA probes were obtained from cloned 
and amplified fragments of Prochilodus argenteus Spix 
and Agassiz, 1829 (Hatanaka and Galetti 2004), the 5S 
rDNA probe was isolated from the genomic DNA of 
Leporinus elongatus Valenciennes, 1850 (Martins and 
Galetti 1999). In this study, we also used a telomeric 
DNA probe amplified by PCR, free of DNA, from prim-
ers (TTAGGG)n and (CCCTAA)n, based on the method 
of Ijdo et al. (1991). The rDNA probes were labeled by 
Nick translation with biotin-16-dUTP and 5S and telo-
meric digoxigenin-11-dUTP. Fluorescent signals were 
detected with avidin-FITC (for 18S rDNA) and with 
digoxigenin-rhodamine for 5S rDNA probes and telo-
meric probe. The metaphases were photographed in an 
Zeiss Axioskop Microscope with image capture and 
epifluorescence system. The morphology of the chro-
mosomes was established according to the ratio of arms 
(RB), according to the proportions proposed by Levan 
et al. (1964), classifying them as metacentric RB from 
1.00 to 1.70), submetacentric (RB from 1.71 to 3.00), 
subtelocentric (RB from 3.01 to 7.00) and acrocentric 
(RB greater than 7.00). To calculate the fundamental 
number (NF), metacentric (m) and submetacentric (sm) 
chromosomes were considered to have two arms, while 
subtelocentric (st) and acrocentric (a) chromosomes were 
single-armed.

RESULTS

The specimens of Rineloricaria pentamaculata had 
a diploid number of 2n= 56 chromosomes, with 8 m/
sm+48st/a and fundamental number (NF) of 64, in both 
sexes (Figure 1a). Ag-NOR sites were found the entire 
short arm of the first pair of subtelo-acrocentric chro-
mosomes (pair 5), showed a heteromorphism in the size 
of the secondary constriction (Figure 1a, in box), con-
firmed by FISH with an 18S rDNA probe (Figure 1b). 
FISH using 5S rDNA probe revealed 14 subtelo/acro-
centric chromosomes with sites (pairs: 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 
and 14) located in the terminal regions of these chromo-
somes (Figure 1b). Hybridization with a telomeric probe 
revealed markings in the telomeric regions of all chro-
mosomes and absence of interstitial telomeric sites (ITS) 
(Figure 1c). 

Few blocks of heterochromatin were detected in 
some chromosomes, however, the first pair of subtelo/
acrocentric chromosomes presented blocks conspicuous 
associates the NOR sites (Figure 2d), which also revealed 
double staining with CMA3 /DAPI and, therefore, rich in 
CG at the sites Ag-NOR (Figure 2e). 

DISCUSSION

The data obtained in the present study showed simi-
larities to those observed for most populations of R. 

Figure 1. Karyotype for Rineloricaria pentamaculata of the Itiz 
stream after: a) conventional staining by Giemsa and Ag-NOR 
located on par Nº 5 (in box); b) double-FISH using 18S rDNA 
(green) and 5S rDNA (red) probes; c) FISH with telomeric probe. 
Note the absence of the ITS. 

Figure 2. Karyotype of Rineloricaria pentamaculata from the Itiz 
stream showing: d) the heterochromatin distribution pattern after 
C-banding; e) CMA3/DAPI base-specific profile.



42 A. Cius et al.

pentamaculata, in relation to diploid number (2n=56), 
karyotypic formula (8m/sm+48st/a), fundamental num-
ber (NF=64) and simple NOR system located on the 
first pair of st/a chromosomes (Table 1). However, diver-
gent karyotypes were found in the populations from the 
Upper Paraná basin (PR), that is, 2n=58 e 2n=54 and 
distinct karyotypic formulas (Table 1). In the popula-
tion of R. pentamaculata from the Barra Grande river, 
Primo et al. (2017) registered a karyomorph B (2n=54) 
and founded traces of ITS in the centromeric region of 
a pair of metacentrics (pair 1) suggesting the occurrence 
of Robertsonian fusion that resulted in the reduction of 
2n from 56 to 54 chromosomes. In the population of the 
Tauá stream (Porto et al. 2011), two karyotypic formu-
las were detected and the one with 9m/sm +47st/a origi-
nated from 8m/sm + 48st/a, and that meiotic nondis-
junction and chromosome fusion mechanisms promoted 
this karyotypic alteration, besides, B microchromosomes 
(0-3B) were also described for this population, whose 
origin has been suggested as centric fragments origi-
nated from chromosome rearrangements (Porto et al. 
2010; Table 1). Therefore, we suggest that the cytogenetic 
characteristics detected in the present study and in most 
populations of R. pentamaculata, be considered a primi-
tive condition for the species. In the Loricariidae family, 
from a cytogenetic point of view, the diploid number of 
2n=54 chromosomes has been suggested as a plesiomor-
phic characteristic, and that due possible chromosomal 
rearrangements such as fusions and fissions occurred 
throughout the evolution of loricariids, promoted the 
increase and decrease of diploid numbers (Artoni and 

Bertollo 2001; Kavalco et al. 2005, Mendes-Neto et al. 
2011; Alves et al. 2012). 

Possible promoters of chromosomal rearrangements 
and consequently of chromosomal polymorphisms were 
investigated in the species of Rineloricaria. Interstitial 
telomeric sites (ITS) have been related to the centric 
fusion events, corroborating the hypothesis that these 
rearrangements the involvement with changes in karyo-
typic formulas, NF and reduction of diploid number in 
some populations of Rineloricaria, such as in R. lanceo-
lata (Porto et al. 2014), R. latirostris (Primo et al. 2017) 
and in two species from the Iguaçu River (R. cubatoni 
and R. maackii, in preparation). Primo et al. (2017) con-
ducted cytogenetic analysis on a population of R. penta-
maculata from the Barra Grande River whose specimens 
showed diploid number of 2n=54 chromosome with the 
first metacentric chromosome pair bearer of an ITS. The 
telomeric sequences located in an interstitial position it 
has been considered traces of centric fusion occurred 
between acrocentric chromosomes originating metacen-
tric chromosomese with consequent reduction of the 
diploid number from 56 to 54 chromosomes and altera-
tion of karyotypic formula (table 1; Primo et al. 2017). 
However, even though ITS were not observed in the 
population of the Itiz stream and the cytogenetic data 
show conserved characteristics, this method is not suffi-
cient to postulate the occurrence of centric fusion chro-
mosomal rearrangements. On the other hand, repetitive 
telomere-like DNA sequences that are components of 
heterochromatin and located in an interstitial position 
could be misinterpreted as ITS, these sequences would 

Table 1. Cytogenetic data available for Rineloricaria pentamaculata.

River/Basin/State 2n (NF)
Karyotype
Formula

NOR
rDNA 5S Ref

Ag-NOR rDNA 18S

Taquaral River/ Paranapanema/ SP 58(62) 4m/sm+54st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a pair 3) 10 sites/te 1
Juruba/ Tibagi River/ PR 56(70) 14m/sm+42st/a - te (1th st/a, pair 3) 12 sites/te

2
Barra Grande River/ Ivaí River / PR

56(70)* 14m/sm+42st/a - te (1th st/a, pair 3) 10 sites/te
54(64)** 10m/sm + 44st/a - te (1th st/a, pair 4) 8 sites/te

Tauá Stream/ Alto Paraná River basin / PR
56(65) 9m/sm+47st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) -

3
56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) -

Tatupeba River/ Alto Paraná River basin PR 56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) and 4th st/a) -
Keller River/ Alto Paraná River basin / PR 56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) -
Jacucaca River/ Alto Paraná River basin / PR 56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) 12 sites 4
Água do Oito Stream/Tibagi River/ Alto Paraná River 56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) - - 5
Quexada River/ Alto Paraná River / PR 56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) 12 sites 6
Itiz stream/ Ivaí River / Alto Paraná River PR 56(64) 8m/sm+48st/a te (1th st/a) te (1th st/a) 14 sites/te 7

Subtitles: 2n: diploid number; NF: fundamental number; m: metacentric; sm: submetacentric; st: subtelocentric; a: acrocentric; te: terminal; 
SP: São Paulo; PR: Paraná; Ref: references: 1- Rodrigues 2010; 2- Primo et al. 2017: * karyomorph A and ** Karyomorph B;.3- Porto et al. 
2011; 4- Maia et al. 2010 and Venturelli 2014; 5-Maia et al. 2010; 6-Venturelli 2014; 7- Present study.



43Contributions of species Rineloricaria pentamaculata (Loricariidae:Loricariinae) in a karyoevolutionary context

not be involved with centric fusion events (Meyne et al. 
1990; Ocalewicz 2013; Bolzán 2017).

In addition to ITS, other repetitive DNA sequences 
are considered hotspot for chromosomal rearrange-
ments, contributing to the understanding of the karyo-
typic diversity of the genus. In R. lima, 5S rDNA sites 
associated with TTAGGGn were observed in centro-
meric position in some meta-submetacentric chromo-
somes suggesting as susceptible sites for chromosomal 
breaks (Rosa et al. 2012). Glugoski et al. (2018) found 
transposable elements associated with 5S rDNA sites 
and TTAGGGn sequences in a population of R. lati-
rostris (river of Pedras, Ventania-PR Brazil) and that 
these elements are probably also involved with chro-
mosomal rearrangements and the karyotypic variabil-
ity of the species. However, transposable elements were 
not observed associated with repetitive regions of the 
genome (5S rDNA and/or TTAGGGn) in populations 
of R. latirostris (Laranjinha river, Ventania-PR Brazil), 
R. pentamaculata, R. stellata and R. capitonia (Primo et 
al. 2018) and this presente study, such analysis was not 
performed. Thus, the expansion of molecular cytogenetic 
studies in the genus are essential for the better under-
standing of the types of rearrangements that caused 
chromosomal variability, as well as the mechanisms 
involved in the karyotypic evolution of Rineloricaria. 

The simple NOR system located in the terminal 
position of the first pair of subtelo-acrocentric chromo-
somes is a conserved characteristic among the popula-
tions of the species and Rineloricaria genus, and was also 
detected in the present study (Alves et al. 2003; Rodri-
gues 2010; Maia et al. 2010; Porto et al. 2011; Rosa et al. 
2012; Porto et al. 2014; Primo et al. 2017; Venturelli et al. 
2021), except for R. pentamaculata from the Tatupeba 
stream, which showed NOR system multiple with two 
pairs of subtelo-acrocentric chromosomes containing 18S 
rDNA sites, one of the pairs being the first pair of subte-
lo-acrocentric chromosomes (Porto et al. 2011; Table 1). 
The NOR phenotype detected in the present study and 
in most populations of R. pentamaculata and in other 
species of Rineloricaria indicates an origin from a com-
mon ancestor. In the Loricariidae most species, showed 
that the simple NOR system located in terminal position 
and constitutive heterochromatin generally associated 
with this region are suggested as an ancestor phenotype. 
(Júlio-Jr 1994; Artoni and Bertollo 1996; Ribeiro et al. 
2015; Prizon et al. 2016; Venturelli et al. 2021). However, 
in species of Loricariidae with multiple NOR system and 
the occurrence of B chromosomes, these characteristics 
were considered apomorphic. (Artoni and Bertolo 1996; 
Artoni and Bertolo et al. 2001; Kavalco et al. 2005; Porto 
et al. 2010-2011; Rubert et al. 2016). 

Likewise, spécimens of R. pentamaculata from the 
Itiz stream showed similarity to other cytogenetic stud-
ies in the pattern of constitutive heterochromatin dis-
tribution (Maia et al. 2010; Porto et al. 2011; Venturelli 
2014; Primo et al. 2017). The association of constitu-
tive heterochromatin and NOR, detected in the present 
study, has been frequently reported in fish and shared 
by all species of Rineloricaria has been interpreted as a 
synapomorphic trait and comes from a common ances-
tor. (Giuliano-Caetano 1998; Porto et al. 2011; Venturel-
li et al. 2021). In addition to corroborating the data on 
the distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in R. 
pentamaculata, we show the composition of CG-rich 
heterochromatin (CMA3 positive) and emphasize the 
importance of descriptive and comparative cytogenetics. 
Furthermore, it is observed that most species of Rinelori-
caria, especially R. pentamacula, exhibited low consti-
tutive heterochromatin profiles, with a varied distribu-
tion being found in the interstitial and pericentromeric 
regions, occupying low portions of the long or short 
chromosome arms (Primo et al. 2017).

Physical mapping of 5S rDNA sequences in spe-
cies of Rineloricaria, especially in R. pentamaculata, 
has increased since 2011 and of the 11 cytogenetically 
characterized species, seven presented studies of 5S 
rDNA sites, showing variation in location and quantity 
(7 to 14 sites, table 1). For the genus Rineloricaria, these 
regions are evidenced in more than one pair of chromo-
somes (Rosa et al. 2012; Primo et al. 2017; Glugoski et al. 
2018; Venturelli et al. 2021), however, it is not possible to 
establish a pattern, suggesting that these sites is a spe-
cies-specific character. Information on diploid number 
and 5S rDNA distribution, has been used as a support to 
distinguish species of Rineloricaria that are morphologi-
cally similar, with difficulties in characterizing and vali-
dating the taxonomic status of the species. (Venturelli et 
al, 2021). 

A hypothesis that could explain the multiple sites 
of 5S rDNA detected in species of Rineloricaria is that 
tranposable elements promoted the dispersion of cop-
ies of these genes throughout the genomes (Primo et al. 
2018; Glugoski et al. 2018). Furthermore, according to 
Glugoski et al. (2018) in R. latirostris, showed multiple 
degenerate 5S rDNA, would be involved with the inser-
tion of the transposable element hAT. Unequal crosso-
ver has been suggested to explain the existence of these 
degenerate sequences, establishing a breakpoint region 
susceptible to chromosome breakage, non-homologous 
recombination and Robertsonian fusion (Rb), and thus 
corroborating the hypothesis that both 5S rDNA sites 
and transposable elements may be involved with chro-
mosomal polymorphisms and the karyotypic variability 



44 A. Cius et al.

observed in Rineloricaria (Glugoski et al. 2018).
Therefore, the present study contributes to aggregate 

and stimulate cytogenetic studies in the species Rinelori-
caria pentamaculata and others species of Rineloricaria. 
Futhermore, we postulate that the diploid number of 
2n=56, karyotypic formula 8m/sm + 44st/a, NF=64 and 
simple NOR system located in the first pair of ts/a chro-
mosomes reinforcing this chromosomal structure as rep-
resentative of this species and probably, a plesiomorphic 
condition for R. pentamaculata. On the other hand, for 
those populations that presented apomorphic cytogenet-
ic characteristics (Tauá and Tatupeba streams and Barra 
Grande river, Table 1), Robertsonian rearrangements 
could have caused these variations, and that 5S rDNA 
sequences and the transposable elements promoted these 
rearrangements, contributing for the karyotypic evolu-
tion to the species. However, the presence of multiple 5S 
rDNA sites also seems to be a characteristic of the chro-
mosomal structure of R. pentamaculata, constituting an 
important marker of intraspecific variations in compara-
tive analyzes of this group.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to CNPq (Conselho Nacion-
al de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) for 
financial support, Maringá State University (UEM) and 
Limnology, Ichthyology and Aquaculture Research Cent-
er (Nupélia).

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	Caryologia
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	Volume 75, Issue 3 - 2022
	Firenze University Press
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