Evidence for independent instances of chromosome number reduction in the genus Pseudopaludicola (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

CARDOZO DARIO; BOERIS JUAN; FERRO JUAN MARTÍN; BORTEIRO CLAUDIO; KOLENC FRANCISCO; SUAREZ PABLO; NETTO FLAVIA; BRUSQUETTI FRANCISCO; BALDO DIEGO

Salamandra

German Journal of Herpetology

Lugar: Mannheim; Año: 2016 vol. 52 p. 11 - 22

0036-3375

Abstract. We describe the chromosome morphology, C-bands, NORs position, and DAPI/CMA3 staining of five species of Pseudopaludicola (P. boliviana, P. canga, P. falcipes, P. mystacalis, and P. ternetzi) belonging to several populations from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. In addition, the telomeric sequence locations of P. mystacalis and P. canga are evaluated using FISH. We re-analyze the progressive reduction of the chromosome number recently proposed for the genus by optimization of the characters basic chromosome number (x) and fundamental chromosome number (FN) on current phylogenetic hypothesis. The evidence supports a progressive reduction of chromosome number in Pseudopaludicola, and multiple origins for the karyotype 2n = 20. Additionally, we discuss the interpretation of the current Pseudopaludicola phylogenetic hypothesis, and a series of inconsistencies in the chromosome literature of the genus.