Analyses of the structure of NORs in two species of South American Sorubiminae fishes (Siluriformes) by means of several cytogenetic techniques

Several cytogenetic techniques (AgNOR, C- G- and RE bandings, DAPI, CMA3 and FISH) were applied in order to analyze the structure and variability of NORs in the fish species Steindachneridion melanodermatum and S. scripta. Ag-NORs were observed on the short arm of the first acrocentric chromosome pair, coincidentally with a strong C-positive band on a large secondary constriction. In addition, NORs showed bright fluorescent signals when stained with CMA3 and treated for FISH with rDNA 18S. However, they showed negative coloration after G- and restriction enzyme banding and DAPI staining. The results evidence a substantial size polymorphism in these regions. The NOR bearing chromosomes in both species may be considered homologues because they maintain conserved characteristics, such as being interspersed with a GC-rich heterochromatin and possessing target sequences for AluI, BamHI and EcoRI.