Inferring Diversity and Evolution in Fish by Means of Integrative Molecular Cytogenetics.
Fish constitute a paraphyletic and profusely diversified group that has historically puzzled ichthyologists. Hard efforts are necessary to better understand this group, due to its extensive diversity. New species are often identified and it leads to questions about their phylogenetic aspects. Cytogenetics is becoming an important biodiversity-detection tool also used to measure biodiversity evolutionary aspects. Molecular cytogenetics by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allowed integrating quantitative and qualitative data from DNA sequences and their physical location in chromosomes and genomes. Although there is no intention on presenting a broader review, the current study presents some evidences on the need of integrating molecular cytogenetic data to other evolutionary biology tools to more precisely infer cryptic species detection, population structuring in marine environments, intra- and interspecific karyoevolutionary aspects of freshwater groups, evolutionary dynamics of marine fish chromosomes, and the origin and differentiation of sexual and B chromosomes. The new cytogenetic field, called cytogenomics, is spreading due to its capacity to give resolute answers to countless questions that cannot be answered by traditional methodologies. Indeed, the association between chromosomal markers and DNA sequencing as well as between biological diversity analysis methodologies and phylogenetics triggers the will to search for answers about fish evolutionary, taxonomic, and structural features.
Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, 84030-900 Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Roberto Ferreira
RF
Artoni
Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Molecular e Genética, Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa, 84030-900 Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil.
Jonathan Pena
JP
Castro
Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Cidade Universitária, 50670-420 Recife, PE, Brazil.
Uedson Pereira
UP
Jacobina
Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte, 59500-000 Macau, RN, Brazil.
Paulo Augusto
PA
Lima-Filho
Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-970 Natal, RN, Brazil.
Gideão Wagner Werneck Félix
GW
da Costa
Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078-970 Natal, RN, Brazil.
Wagner Franco
WF
Molina
D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002875:Chromosomes; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D005828:Genetics, Population; D059785:Karyotype; D008297:Male