Karyotypic diversification in two Atlantic species of Holocentridae (Pisces, Beryciformes)

Abstract

There are few cytogenetic data on marine fish, particularly in some little Orders, such as the Beryciformes, although some emphasis has been placed on some isolated groups. In this study, the karyotypes of Holocentrus ascensionis and Myripristis jacobus species (Holocentridae) were described showing differentiated chromosome characteristics for diploid number, FN and frequency and localization of NORs sites. Such accentuated divergences may reflect the polyphiletism in this group previously suggested by mtDNA analyses.

Key words:

• Beryciformes
• fish cytogenetics
• Holocentrus
• Myripristes