Chromosome studies in hypoptopomatinae (Pisces, Siluriformes, Loricariidae). II. ZZ/ZW sex-chromosome system, B chromosomes, and constitutive heterochromatin differentiation in Microlepidogaster leucofrenatus.

Cytogenetic analysis of two local populations of Microlepidogaster leucofrenatus showed a basic diploid chromosome number (2N) of 54 in both populations. Some fishes were found to have a 2N = 55 or 56 chromosomes due to the presence of one or two large heterochromatic B chromosomes. Specimens of M. leucofrenatus from the Poço Grande stream had 24 metacentrics, 24 submetacentrics, four subtelocentrics, and one submetacentric homomorphic pair in males and one submetacentric/subtelocentric heteromorphic pair in females, whereas individuals of this species from the Marumbi River had 22 metacentrics, 24 submetacentrics, four subtelocentrics, two acrocentrics, and one submetacentric/subtelocentric heteromorphic pair in females. The occurrence of the heteromorphic pair in the females was due to the presence of an extra C-banded segment on the W chromosome. Ag-NORs in both populations were located interstitially on the short arm of the largest metacentric pair. The Poço Grande population had less constitutive heterochromatin than did the Marumbi River population. The speciation process in this fish species is discussed on the basis of heterochromatin distribution.