Cytogenetic characterization of the mullet, Mugil platanus (Pisces, Mugilidae)

Abstract

The mitotic chromosomes, the nucleolus organizer regions (NORs), and the distribution pattern of constitutive heterochromatin of the fish Mugil platanus that occurs in the southeastern coastal region of Brazil were studied. This species has 2n = 48 chromosomes, all acrocentric. NORs are located in terminal region on the long arm of the first chromosome pair, and small heterochromatin blocks were detected in centromeric position in almost all the chromosomes. The cytogenetic similarities and differences among this and the other species of the genus Mugil are discussed.