Distribution of C-band heterochromatin in the ZW sex chromosomes of European and American eels (Anguillidae, Teleostomi)

• Published in: Cytogenetic and Genome Research
• Main Authors: Park, E.-H., Grimm, H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: S. Karger AG 1981
• Subjects: Anguilla anguilla; European eel
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000131642; https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/131642

The ZW sex chromosomes of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, and the American eel, A. rostrata, were examined with C-band and fluorescent staining to demonstrate the C-band heterochromatin. The W as well as Z chromosomes in both species are C-band negative except for a small amount of C-band heterochromatin in the centromeric region, in contrast to the W or Y elements of most other vertebrates. No fluorescing W-associated body is evident either in interphase nuclei or in metaphase plates. The ZW chromosomes of the two species have substantially similar size, morphology, and patterns of C-band heterochromatin. Karyologic and evolutionary implications are discussed.