Fish chromosome and karyotyping

Dr. J.P.SRIVASTAVA
(Assistant Professor)

Department of Zoology
D.B.S.College
CSJM UNIVERSITY
Kanpur
 WHAT IS A CHROMOSOME MORPHOLOGY
The normal structure of chromosomes,
different types of chromosomes, size of the
chromosomes, the position of centromere
and pattern of light and dark staining when
chromosomes are stained by different
chemical dyes are collectively called as
chromosome morphology.
 STRUCTURE OF CHROMOSOME

• Eukaryotic chromosomes are composed of

chromatin, a combination of nuclear DNA and
proteins.
• At metaphase, which is a phase in the cell cycle
after the DNA in the nucleus has been
replicated; each chromosome contains two
identical strands of DNA (each strand contains
two complementary strands of nucleotides).
• The two strands of DNA, or chromatids are held
together at a single point, the centromere, or
primary constriction point.
 CLASSIFICATION OF CHROMOSOMES

classification of chromosomes is based on metaphase stage and

on the bases of position of centromere.
The centromere is visible as the region where two sister
chromatids are attached to each other and is the site for the
attachment of spindle fibres during chromosomal movements.
The centromere may be median, sub-median, sub-terminal or
terminal.
So there are four morphological classes as observed on
metaphase configuration namely,
1. Metacentric (V-shaped),
2. Sub-metacentric (J-shaped),
3. Acrocentric,
4. Telocentric (Rod Shaped).
If the centromere is sub-terminal, the chromosomes are known as
sub-telocentric (Rod shaped). Often chromosome with terminal and
sub-terminal centromeres are described as acentric. A diagrammatic
sketch is given for the understanding of various parts of
chromosome.
The metacentric chromosomes (m) have the centromere in the
middle (medial) and the two arms are of equal size.
In sub-metacentric chromosomes (sm), the centromere is sub-
medial hence both the arms are similar but are not equal.
In acentric chromosomes the centromere is very near to one end so
one arm is very short and another is very long.
Telocentric chromosomes (t) have the centromere adjacent to
telomere, and these chromosomes have only one visible arm.
if the centromere is sub terminal, the chromosome type is sub-
telocentric (st).
Fishes possess all the above four types of chromosomes.
• The size of fish chromosomes is small and the
number is very high and overlapping each other.
• There is confusion in centromere positions too.
• This confusion may be eliminated by assigning
definite numerical values for each category of
chromosome type based on arm ratio as suggested
by Laven.
• He suggested ratio of the length of the long arm
divided by the length of the short arm.
• He has recommended the following measurement
for designating chromosome.
• The nomenclature is followed in fishes very
extensively
• Sex Chromosomes (Heterogamy):
• It is difficult to distinguish between male fish
from female fish on the basis of sex
chromosomes but sexes do occur in fishes. Male
and female fishes in major carps could be
distinguished during breeding season by
pectoral fin and by pressing the belly to see
whether milt or eggs are coming out.
• The distinct sex chromosomes, like that of
human, are not visible in the cytological
preparations in fishes. Female is heterogametic
as ZO, while the male is homogametic having ZZ.
 Fish karyotypes
• The study of fish chromosome (karyotype) was
initiated in India from 1960s by using basically
the methodologies available for mammals.
• Gradually modified fish chromosome
methodologies have been developed for
obtaining quality metaphase chromosomes in ,
1992.
• Of about 2,000 species of inland and marine
fish analysed for karyological information and
over 200 species belong to India, which
include both freshwater as well as marine
species.
• Karyotype of Indian major carps
• Karyotype studies of Indian major carps have
been worked out by numerous scientists, who
reported similar results.
• The type of chromosomes and the number of
chromosomes in each type as reported by
different workers are given in Table .
 Table 7. Comparative karyological studies on Indian major carps as reported by various authors

Species Type of chromosomes Number of

fundamental arms
2n Metacentric Submetacentric Subtelocentric

L.ronu 50 18 8 24

50 6 26 18

50 10 16 24

10 18 22 78

18 22 88

C. catla 50 4 24 22 A/t

50 8 16 26

50 6 32 12

50 12 16 22 78

50 12 16 22 88

C.mrigala 50 6 8 36 10st = 22A/t

50 6 26 18 (A/t)

50 12 18 20 St/t 80

L.calbasu 50 6 8 36

50 6 32 12