title: Cytogenetics and sperm ultrastructure of Atelopus spumarius (Anura, Bufonidae) from the Brazilian Amazon.
abstract: The current taxonomy of most Atelopus species is based on morphological and color data only. Recent studies suggest that A. spumarius may represent a species complex assigned under the same name. Karyotypic data and description of sperm ultrastructure for 13 specimens of A. spumarius are presented here for the first time. A chromosomal analysis revealed 2n = 22 chromosomes, with centromeric heterochromatin in all pairs and a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) on the telomere of pair 7. The sperm was of the bufonoid type, presenting a filiform nucleus covered by an acrosomal complex and a mitochondrial collar in the neck region. The tail was composed of an axoneme, an undulating membrane and an axial rod. A karyotype analysis of A. spumarius showed the same chromosome number and similar chromosomal morphology as described for congeneric species, with slight differences probably resulting from pericentric inversions. The NOR location (on pair 7) was the same as that observed for species belonging to the genus Rhinella. The spermatological findings indicate a close relationship between Atelopus and the bufonoid lineage. The present data are useful for reference in future studies to determine whether more than one species are assigned to A. spumarius.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil . ; Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Jequié, BA, Brazil .
authors.forename: Sérgio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Santos, SP, Brazil .
authors.forename: Odair Aguiar
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Junior
authors.affiliation: Coordenadoria de Pesquisa em Ecologia, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, AM, Brazil .
authors.forename: Albertina Pimentel
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil .
authors.forename: Shirlei Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Recco-Pimentel
keywords: Ag-NOR; Atelopus spumarius; C-band; chromosome; sperm ultrastructure