Recent chromosome diversification in the evolutionary radiation of the freshwater fish family Curimatidae (Characiformes)

Neotropical Curimatidae fishes include 97 species in eight genera. Basic cytogenetic studies show a karyotype of 2n = 54 chromosomes in most species. Karyotype divergence of the nucleolus organizing regions between species has been reported, and these regions appear to be good cytotaxonomic markers. In the present work, karyotype, heterochromatin and Ag‐NOR variability in 13 species were investigated to analyse the chromosome diversification in view of the biogeographic history of this group. Only Cyphocharax platanus showed a karyotype with 2n = 58 chromosomes. Ag‐NOR and C‐banding patterns were quite divergent among the species studied. All species whose C‐bands were analysed had heterochromatic blocks associated with the nucleolus organizing regions. Species with multiple Ag‐NORs also showed an increase in NOR‐associated heterochromatic blocks. C‐banding showed considerable differentiation among species, revealing a pronounced chromosome diversification in this group. Karyotypic variability corroborates the hypothesis that these fishes in Amazon region show various discrete patterns of species endemism. Chromosome diversification in curimatids has a recent origin and appears to be accompanying the post‐Andean speciation responsible for the diversity of species in the family.