Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae)
We performed a molecular and phylogenetic analysis and a comparative cytogenetic study with standard karyotyping, silver staining (Ag-NOR) and sequential C-banding + Giemsa, + fluorochromes on several <i>Blaesodactylus</i> samples. The phylogenetic inference retrieved two main clades, th...
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MDPI AG
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/13/2068 |
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| author | Marcello Mezzasalma Elvira Brunelli Gaetano Odierna Fabio Maria Guarino |
| author_facet | Marcello Mezzasalma Elvira Brunelli Gaetano Odierna Fabio Maria Guarino |
| author_sort | Marcello Mezzasalma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We performed a molecular and phylogenetic analysis and a comparative cytogenetic study with standard karyotyping, silver staining (Ag-NOR) and sequential C-banding + Giemsa, + fluorochromes on several <i>Blaesodactylus</i> samples. The phylogenetic inference retrieved two main clades, the first comprises <i>B. victori</i>, <i>B. microtuberculatus</i> and <i>B. boivini</i>, while the second includes <i>B. sakalava</i>, <i>B. antongilensis</i> and <i>B. ambonihazo</i>. The available samples of <i>B. sakalava</i> form two different clades (here named <i>B. sakalava</i> clade A and clade B), which probably deserve a taxonomic re-evaluation. We found a karyological variability in <i>Blaesodactylus</i> in terms of chromosome number (2n = 40–42), morphology, location of NORs, and heterochromatin distribution pattern. <i>Blaesodactylus antongilensis</i> and <i>B. sakalava</i> clade A and B showed a karyotype of 2n = 40 mostly telocentric chromosomes. Pairs 1 and 6 were metacentric in <i>B. sakalava</i> clade A and B, while pair 1 was composed of subtelocentric/submetacentric elements in <i>B. antongilensis.</i> In contrast, <i>B. boivini</i> displayed a karyotype with 2n = 42 only telocentric chromosomes. NORs were on the first chromosome pair in <i>B. boivini</i>, and on the second pair in <i>B. antongilensis</i>. Adding our data to those available from the literature on evolutionarily related species, we highlight that the chromosome diversification in the genus probably proceeded towards a progressive reduction in the chromosome number and the formation of metacentric elements. |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:49:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-e66700c0db374ad996cc063e2a9401bc2023-11-18T16:02:28ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-06-011313206810.3390/ani13132068Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae)Marcello Mezzasalma0Elvira Brunelli1Gaetano Odierna2Fabio Maria Guarino3Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, ItalyDepartment of Biology, Ecology and Earth Science, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 4/B, 87036 Rende, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 26, 80126 Naples, ItalyWe performed a molecular and phylogenetic analysis and a comparative cytogenetic study with standard karyotyping, silver staining (Ag-NOR) and sequential C-banding + Giemsa, + fluorochromes on several <i>Blaesodactylus</i> samples. The phylogenetic inference retrieved two main clades, the first comprises <i>B. victori</i>, <i>B. microtuberculatus</i> and <i>B. boivini</i>, while the second includes <i>B. sakalava</i>, <i>B. antongilensis</i> and <i>B. ambonihazo</i>. The available samples of <i>B. sakalava</i> form two different clades (here named <i>B. sakalava</i> clade A and clade B), which probably deserve a taxonomic re-evaluation. We found a karyological variability in <i>Blaesodactylus</i> in terms of chromosome number (2n = 40–42), morphology, location of NORs, and heterochromatin distribution pattern. <i>Blaesodactylus antongilensis</i> and <i>B. sakalava</i> clade A and B showed a karyotype of 2n = 40 mostly telocentric chromosomes. Pairs 1 and 6 were metacentric in <i>B. sakalava</i> clade A and B, while pair 1 was composed of subtelocentric/submetacentric elements in <i>B. antongilensis.</i> In contrast, <i>B. boivini</i> displayed a karyotype with 2n = 42 only telocentric chromosomes. NORs were on the first chromosome pair in <i>B. boivini</i>, and on the second pair in <i>B. antongilensis</i>. Adding our data to those available from the literature on evolutionarily related species, we highlight that the chromosome diversification in the genus probably proceeded towards a progressive reduction in the chromosome number and the formation of metacentric elements.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/13/2068cytogeneticsevolutionkaryotypeMadagascarSquamata |
| spellingShingle | Marcello Mezzasalma Elvira Brunelli Gaetano Odierna Fabio Maria Guarino Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) Animals cytogenetics evolution karyotype Madagascar Squamata |
| title | Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) |
| title_full | Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) |
| title_fullStr | Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) |
| title_short | Chromosome Diversity and Evolution of the Endemic Malagasy Velvet Geckos of the Genus <i>Blaesodactylus</i> (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) |
| title_sort | chromosome diversity and evolution of the endemic malagasy velvet geckos of the genus i blaesodactylus i reptilia gekkonidae |
| topic | cytogenetics evolution karyotype Madagascar Squamata |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/13/2068 |
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