title: Cytogenetics of the Brazilian Bolitoglossa paraensis (Unterstein, 1930) salamanders (Caudata, Plethodontidae).
abstract: Plethodontid salamanders of genus Bolitoglossa constitute the largest and most diverse group of salamanders, including around 20% of living caudate species. Recent studies have indicated the occurrence of five recognized species in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest. We present here the first cytogenetic data of a Brazilian salamander, which may prove to be a useful by contribution to the cytotaxonomy of the genus. Specimens were collected near the "type" locality (Utinga, Belém, PA, Brazil). Chromosomal preparations from duodenal epithelial cells and testes were subjected to Giemsa staining, C-banding and DAPI/CMA3 fluorochrome staining. All specimens showed a karyotype with 13 bi-armed chromosome pairs (2n = 26). Nucleolar Organizer Regions, evidenced by CMA3, were located distally on the long arm of pair 7 (7q). DAPI+ heterochromatin was predominantly centromeric, with some small pericentromeric bands. Although the C-banding patterns of other Bolitoglossa species are so far unknown, cytogenetic studies conducted in other Plethodontid salamanders have demonstrated that pericentromeric heterochromatin is a useful cytological marker for identifying interspecific homeologies. Species diversification is usually accompanied by chromosomal changes. Therefore, the cytogenetic characterization of Bolitoglossa populations from the middle and western Brazilian Amazon Basin could identify differences which may lead to the identification of new species.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Citogenética , Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Belém, PA , Brazil .
authors.forename: Jéssica Barata
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Citogenética , Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Belém, PA , Brazil .
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Citogenética , Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Belém, PA , Brazil .
authors.forename: Cleusa Yoshiko
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Nagamachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences , Ontario Veterinary College , University of Guelph , Guelph, ON , Canada .
authors.forename: Timothy Frederick
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Citogenética , Instituto de Ciências Biológicas , Universidade Federal do Pará , Belém, PA , Brazil .
authors.forename: Julio Cesar
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pieczarka
keywords: Bolitoglossa; Brazilian Amazon; Salamanders; cytogenetics; karyotypes