Karyotype and Nucleolus Organizer Regiones in Epinephelus caninus (Pisces, Serranidae)

Abstract

The chromosome analysis, with Giemsa and silver nitrate staining, of the serranid species Epinephelus caninus revealed another example of primitive karyotype, with 2n = 48, and FN = 48. This one also presents nucleolus organizer regions, in an interstitial location, in a single chromosome pair which, being the smallest complement chromosome, mainly suggests two things: a) It is a characteristic feature in species of the genus Epinephelus; and b) It constitutes a specialization model among the evolutionary trends of many fish karyotypes. © 1993 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.