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Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis

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Abstract

Classical and molecular cytogenetic (18S rDNA, telomeric sequence, and LINE-1 retrotransposon probes) studies were carried out to contribute to an understanding of the organization of repeated DNA elements in the Amazon River dolphin (boto, Inia geoffrensis). Twenty-seven specimens were examined, each presenting 2n = 44 chromosomes, the karyotype formula 12m + 14sm + 6st + 10t + XX/XY, and fundamental number (FN) = 74. C-positive heterochromatin was observed in terminal and interstitial positions, with the occurrence of polymorphism. Interstitial telomeric sequences were not observed. The nucleolar organizer region (NOR) was located at a single site on a smallest autosomal pair. LINE-1 was preferentially distributed in the euchromatin regions, with the greatest accumulation on the X chromosome. Although the karyotype structure in cetaceans is considered to be conserved, the boto karyotype demonstrated significant variations in its formula, heterochromatin distribution, and the location of the NOR compared to other cetacean species. These results contribute to knowledge of the chromosome organization in boto and to a better understanding of karyoevolution in cetaceans.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank C.H. Schneider, M.C. Gross, M.L. Terencio and N.D.M. Carvalho for laboratory assistance, suggestions and N.A.S. Carmo for help with field work. This study was part of Projeto Boto, a cooperative agreement between the National Amazon Research Institute–INPA/MCT and the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute–MSDI–OS/MCT. The work was made possible by support from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES) through a scholarship awarded to HLB; Center for Studies of Adaptation to Environmental Changes in the Amazon (ADAPTA): The State of Amazonas Research Foundation (FAPEAM), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) of the Brazilian Government 573976/2008-2; National Amazon Research Institute (INPA–PPI-PRJ 12.16), Projeto Boto; and Petrobras Ambiental (PRJ 12.86).

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  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Laboratório de Genética Animal, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av André Araújo, 2936 Petrópolis, Manaus, AM, 69083-000, Brazil

    Heidi L. Bonifácio & Eliana Feldberg

  2. Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Av André Araújo 2936, Petrópolis, Manaus, AM, 69011-790, Brazil

    Vera M. F. da Silva

  3. Centre for Remote Environments, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4JE, UK

    Anthony R. Martin

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  1. Heidi L. Bonifácio
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  2. Vera M. F. da Silva
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  4. Eliana Feldberg
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Correspondence to Heidi L. Bonifácio.

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Bonifácio, H.L., da Silva, V.M.F., Martin, A.R. et al. Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the Amazon River dolphin Inia geoffrensis . Genetica 140, 307–315 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10709-012-9680-7

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