Heterochromatin variation and LINE-1 distribution in Artibeus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) from Central Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

Species in the subgenus Artibeus Leach, 1821 are widely distributed in Brazil. Conserved karyotypes characterize the group with identical diploid number and chromosome morphology. Recent studies suggested that the heterochromatin distribution and accumulation patterns can vary among species. In order to assess whether variation can also occur within species, we have analyzed the chromosomal distribution of constitutive heterochromatin in A. planirostris (Spix, 1823) and A. lituratus (Olfers, 1818) from Central Amazon (North Brazil) and contrasted our findings with those reported for other localities in Brazil. In addition, Ag-NOR staining and FISH with 18S rDNA, telomeric, and LINE-1 probes were performed to assess the potential role that these different repetitive markers had in shaping the current architecture of heterochromatic regions. Both species presented interindividual variation of constitutive heterochromatin. In addition, in A. planirostris the centromeres of most chromosomes are enriched with LINE-1, colocated with pericentromeric heterochromatin blocks. Overall, our data indicate that amplification and differential distribution of the investigated repetitive DNAs might have played a significant role in shaping the chromosome architecture of the subgenus Artibeus.

Comparative cytogenetics of two species of Dermanura (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Midwestern Brazil

“…However, knowledge about karyotype data is still scarce for some bat species, and little data has been published for species from South America. Recent studies have been complementing data on chromosomal banding for some species (Calixto et al 2014;Corrêa and Bonvicino 2016;Sousa et al 2017;Souza et al 2017;Côrrea et al 2017), with karyotype descriptions for species that do not present chromosomal data in the literature (Santos et al 2002;Garcia and Pessôa 2010;Almeida et al 2016, Gomes et al 2016.…”

Comparative cytogenetics of two species of Dermanura (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Midwestern Brazil

“…However, knowledge about karyotype data is still scarce for some bat species, and little data has been published for species from South America. Recent studies have been complementing data on chromosomal banding for some species ( Calixto et al 2014 ; Corrêa and Bonvicino 2016 ; Sousa et al 2017 ; Souza et al 2017 ; Côrrea et al 2017 ), with karyotype descriptions for species that do not present chromosomal data in the literature ( Santos et al 2002 ; Garcia and Pessôa 2010 ; Almeida et al 2016 , Gomes et al 2016 ).…”