Crenicichla
(Cichliformes, Cichlidae) present a highly conserved diploid number 2n=48 with fundamental numbers varying between 52 and 62. We analyzed four species in order to investigate the role of repetitive DNA in chromosome evolution in the genus.
Crenicichla johanna
,
Crenicichla
cf.
saxatilis
and
Crenicichla
cf.
regani
have 2n=48 (8 m/sm and 40st/a) and FN=56, while
Crenicichla
sp. ‘Xingu I’ has 2n=48 (48 st/a) and FN=48. Different patterns of constitutive heterochromatin distribution were observed including pericentric, interstitial and whole arm C bands. A single chromosome bears 18S rDNA clusters in most species, except
C. johanna
, where population variation exists in terms of the quantity and distribution of clusters and their association with interstitial telomeric sequences. All species showed hybridization of 5S rDNA sequences in an interstitial region on an acrocentric chromosome pair. The karyotypic differences and maintenance of the diploid number supports chromosome evolution mediated by inversions in
Crenicichla
. The telomeric and 18S rDNA sequence association in various chromosomes of
C. johanna
are proposed to represent hotspots for breakage, favoring intra-chromosomal rearrangements. The results suggest that repetitive sequences can contribute to microstructural cytogenetic diversity in
Crenicichla
.