Karyotypic Analysis of the Clipper Barb <i>Enteromius callipterus</i> (Boulenger 1907) from Tahoss Stream, Jos Plateau, Nigeria

Abstract

The chromosomes of male and female individuals of Enteromius callipterus [1] were assessed in this study with the objective of determining the diploid chromosome and karyotype. The samples were obtained from the Tahoss River, Jos Plateau, and the assessment of the chromosomes was conducted using the conventional Giemsa staining technique. The study reveals that the male individual of E. callipterus has a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 50, the fundamental number of autosomal arms (NFa) of 82, and a karyotype formula of 2n = 14M + 4m + 32t. However, none of the spreads obtained for the female individuals were either equal to or below the common diploid chromosome number of 50 known for members of the genus. The two spreads presented here were of 2n equal to 54 and 58. Although sex dimorphism is rare within the genus, the present results suggest E. callipterus show sexual dimorphism at the chromosomal level.