Localization of the repetitive telomeric sequence (TTAGGG)n in four sturgeon species.

We analysed the localization of the telomeric sequence (TTAGGG)n in four species of the genus Acipenser, namely A. naccarii (2n = 246 +/- 6), A. ruthenus (2n = 118 +/- 4), A. gueldenstaedti (2n = 256 +/- 6) and A. baeri (2n = 246 +/- 8). The hybridization signal was localized at the telomeres of all chromosomes in A. naccarii, A. ruthenus and A. baeri. In A. gueldenstaedti, two chromosomes were entirely marked with blocks of telomeric repeating sequences. The results are discussed in the light of their evolutionary inference.