Analysis of the nucleolus organizer regions by silver nitrate (AgNOR), fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and C-banding of Serrapinnus notomelas from the Paran´a River, PR, Brazil revealed intrapopulational polymorphisms that could be classified into six patterns (I-VI). Pattern I consisted of a single nucleolus organizer region (NOR) on chromosome pair 26 with at least one active homologue, indicating that it was a preferential NO. This NOR was also present in all the other patterns. In addition, seven other variable pairs appeared in patterns II-VI. These polymorphisms may indicate transpositions of rDNA genes, located on pair 26, to various sites in the genome. These transpositions may be due to transpose mechanisms or reinsertion into sites that have sequences homologous with the inserts. C-band analysis also reflected this variability and confirmed the various patterns described here. #

O tráfico de animais silvestres é um problema com repercussões ecológicas e sociais. Além de causar o declínio de diversas populações naturais, esta prática tem consequências diretas sobre os indivíduos capturados, como quadros de imunossupressão que podem resultar na manifestação de variados patógenos. No Brasil, o tráfico de aves silvestres se destaca como uma das modalidades mais populares desta prática. As espécies mais procuradas usualmente possuem atrativos estéticos ou sonoros, como muitos exemplares Passeriformes. O cardeal-do-nordeste (Paroaria dominicana) é uma destas espécies, chegando a ser considerada uma das mais traficadas do país. Neste trabalho, analisamos 26 exemplares de Paroaria dominicana provenientes de uma ação de resgate executada pelo IBAMA. Foram realizadas técnicas de necropsia e sedimentação espontânea para verificar a presença de helmintos e ovos nos órgãos dos exemplares analisados, bem como pesagem e mensuração dos cadáveres. Encontramos a presença de espécies de nematódeos em 05 exemplares; todos pertencentes ao gênero Diplotriaena, incluindo a espécie Diplotriaena delirae, registrada pela primeira vez na helmintofauna de Paroaria. dominicana. Observamos a presença de ovos característicos do gênero Diplotriaena e Heterakis, este último também inédito a helmintofauna de Paroaria dominicana até o presente trabalho. A presença de novas espécies na helmintofauna de Paroaria dominicana pode estar associada ao contato direto com outras espécies silvestres durante a captura e o transporte ilegal, bem como as condições sanitárias associadas a essas etapas do tráfico de aves.

The group Incertae sedis within the Characidae family currently includes 88 genera, previously included in the subfamily Tetragonopterinae. Among them is the genus Astyanax comprising a group of species with similar morphology and widely distributed in the Neotropics. Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the karyotype diversity in Astyanax species from different watersheds by conventional Giemsa staining, C-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH rDNA 18S) probe.specimens of Astyanax aff. paranae belonging to the "scabripinnis complex", Astyanax asunsionensis and Astyanax aff. bimaculatus were analyzed". Two sympatric karyomorphs were observed in Astyanax. aff paranae, one of them having2n=48andthe other one with 2n=50 chromosomes. Other population of this same species also presented 2n=50 chromosomes, but differing in the karyotype formula and with macro supernumerary chromosome found in 100% of the cells in about 80%of females analyzed. Two population of A. asuncionensis and one population of Astyanax. aff. bimaculatus, also showed a diploid number of 50 chromosomes, but also differing in their karyotype formulas. Therefore, A. asuncionensis was also characterized by intraspecific chromosome diversity. The C-banding analysis was able to demonstrate a distinctable to demonstrate a distinct pattern of heterochromatin differing A. asuncionensis from Astyanax aff. paranae and Astyanax aff. bimaculatus. The supernumerary chromosome of Astyanax aff. paranae proved completely heterochromatic. Only Astyanax.aff. bimaculatus multiple showed multiple sites of nucleolar organizing regions. The other species were characterized by having a simple system of NOR. These data contributes to the know ledge of the existing biodiversity in our fish fauna, here highlighted by the inter-and intraspecific chromosomal diversity in the genus Astyanax.Keywords: cytogenetics, biodiversity, B chromosomes, C-bands, NORs. Diversidade Cariotípica entre três espécies do gênero

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Although crustaceans are traditionally preserved in liquids (formaldehyde and/or ethyl alcohol), those substances tend to alter their morphological aspects. Glycerin, used in human anatomy, is considered a good substitute for formaldehyde, as it preserves animals in states similar to in vivo conditions. There are no records in the literature, however, concerning the use of glycerin for conserving invertebrates. The objective of this work was to elaborate and evaluate alternative techniques for conserving the crustacean Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763). Six fixatives (1, 3, 4 and 5% formaldehyde, 70% alcohol, and dietrich solution) and two controls (positive and negative) were tested, as well as the effects of freezing before fixation on the integrity of U. cordatus specimens. Our results were evaluated with respect to nine variables. The treatments that demonstrated the best aesthetic results were 4% formaldehyde and 70% ethyl alcohol. The freezing of the animals resulted in brittle organs in all treatments tested. The technique discussed here is extremely promising for the conservation of animals for educational purposes, as it produces preserved specimens that are aesthetically similar to their in vivo conditions.

The Moenkhausia sanctaefilomenae specimens showed a karyotype consisting of 2n = 50 chromosomes with 12 metacentrics, 36 submetacentrics and two subtelocentrics. In addition to the basic karyotype, all the males specimens have cells ranging from zero to two B microchromosomes in mitotic metaphases. These chromosomes were not observed in the female specimens. C-band analysis showed a distribution pattern of characteristic heterochromatin with interstitial and centromeric blocks. However, the B chromosomes were faintly stained with C-banding and were not fluorescent with CMA3 staining. The meiotic studies showed the formation of bivalents in metaphase I and in pachytene under an optical microscope. Through synaptonemal complex analysis with an electron microscope, the pachytene showed 25 bivalents completely paired and a small bivalent corresponding to the B chromosomes. In the same preparation, one of the B chromosomes was observed in a univalent form. On the basis of pairing behavior and morphology it is assumed that B chromosomes of M. sanctaefilomenae show homology between them and their evolutionary aspects are discussed.

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