Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
A new genus and species of deep-sea eelpout (Zoarcidae), Barbapellis pterygalces, is herein described from a single adult female specimen carrying eggs and measuring 204 mm in total length. It was collected on the eastern Antarctic continental slope, off Terre Ad,lie, at ca. 1,200 m depth, on muddy bottom. Barbapellis is placed in the subfamily Gymnelinae and can be distinguished from all other genera by morphological characters unusual in zoarcids as well as by molecular barcoding. The genus is characterized by the presence of a complex system of cephalic skin crests and flaps, especially well developed around the mouth. A new terminology is proposed for the eleven crests and sevenfolds described. The skin folds may be used for foraging on muddy sea bottoms. The genus is also characterized by large, flexible, and highly palmate pectoral fins. The designation of the new genus is discussed.
ISSN: 0722-4060

hal-01544913
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01544913
DOI : 10.1007/s00300-011-1057-3

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Paris : Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
Résumé : International audience
To increase understanding of the chromosomal diversity among cichlid species, karyotypes of 19 species of Cichlidae belonging to 15 genera (Paratilapia polleni, Chromidotilapia guntheri guntheri, Hemichromis fasciatus, Steatocranus irvinei, Stomatepia pindu, Altolamprologus compressiceps, Julidochromis transcriptus, Neolamprologus tetracanthus, N. brevis, Gnathochromis permaxillaris, Eretmodus cyanostictus, Astatoreochromis alluaudi, Haplochromis callipterus, H. paludinosus, Ninzbochromis livingstonii, N. polystigma, Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae, P. philander and Ctenochromis horei) were investigated for the first time. In spite of the variation in the karyotypes of cichlid fishes (from 2n = 42 to 2n = 48 chromosomes), the modal chromosome number was 2n = 44. Cytogenetic mapping of the 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene was accomplished.
ISSN: 0399-0974

hal-01544902
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01544902

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Cytogenetics provides a unique platform to study in situ structural, functional, and evolutionary aspects of the genome. As such it holds powerful promise in decoding mechanisms and processes of genome architectural changes and their role in organism's diversification and evolution. Since the early 80s, such an approach has been applied to the study of the Antarctic notothenioid fishes. In almost three decades, the cytogenetic information has expanded to cover half of the known species inhabiting the high Antarctic waters. Although started 10 years later, cytogenetic studies of species from the Ross sea region have provided valuable contributions to this bulk of knowledge. Here, we synthesize the currently available cytogenetic information on Antarctic notothenioid fishes from the Ross Sea Region, inclusive of both conventional karyotyping and gene mapping. In addition, new karyotypic data on four species (Lepidonotothen squamifrons, Trematomus scotti, T. loennbergii, and T. lepidorhinus) are provided. In discussing these data, specific focus is made on the patterns and subtleties of cytogenetic diversity at inter- and intra-specific levels aiming at contributing to the refinement of the knowledge of fish diversity in a region, the Ross Sea area, whose primary ecological value is widely recognized.
Hydrobiologia

hal-01544905
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01544905
DOI : 10.1007/s10750-015-2355-5

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
In two swordtail species of the genus Xiphophorus, the onset of puberty has been shown to be modulated at the P locus by sequence polymorphism and gene copy-number variation affecting the type 4 melanocortin hormone receptor Mc4r. The system works through the interaction of two allelic types, one encoding wild type and the other dominant-negative receptors. We have analyzed the structure and evolution of the P locus in the platyfish Xiphophorus maculatus, where as many as nine alleles of P determining the onset of sexual maturity in males and females, fecundity in females, and adult size in males are located on both the X and Y chromosomes in a region linked to the master sex-determining locus. In this species, mc4r has been amplified to up to 10 copies on both the X and Y chromosomes through recent large serial duplications. Subsequently, mc4r paralogues have diverged considerably into many different subtypes. Certain copies have acquired new untranslated regions through genomic rearrangements, and transposable element insertions and other mutations have accumulated in promoter regions, possibly explaining observed deviations from the classical mc4r transcriptional pattern. In the mc4r-coding sequence, in-frame insertions and deletions as well as nonsense and missense mutations have generated a high diversity of Mc4r-predicted proteins. Most of these variants are expressed in embryos, adults, and/or tumors. Functional receptor characterization demonstrated major divergence in pharmacological behavior for Mc4r receptors encoded by different copies of platyfish mc4r, with differences in constitutive activity as well as binding and stimulation by hormones. The high degree of allelic and copy-number variation observed between individuals can explain the high level of polymorphism for sexual maturation, fecundity, and body size in the platyfish: multiple combinations of Mc4r variants with different biochemical properties might interact to modulate the melanocortin signaling that regulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.
GENETICS

hal-01544912
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01544912
DOI : 10.1534/genetics.113.155952

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Paris : Muséum national d'histoire naturelle
Résumé : International audience
The chromosomal diversity within six species of Mormyridae belonging to six different genera (Gnathonemus petersii, Marcusenius moorii, Ivindomyrus obdenboschi, Brienomyrus sp., Stomatorhinus walkeri and Petrocephalus microphthalmus) is investigated for the first time. These species have a conserved diploid chromosome number of 2n = 50 (except G. petersii 2n = 48) but different chromosome formulae, essentially involving pericentric inversions. C-banding has been used for the localization of heterochromatin. For a deeper interspecific comparison, several molecular markers were localized in the chromosomes by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH): a 18S rDNA probe; a microsatellite probe (GAA)(10), and a telomeric probe (TTAGGG)(7). The distribution of the 18S rDNA patterns, in particular, shows an amazing specific diversity, confirming a rapid radiation accompanied by major chromosome rearrangements.
ISSN: 0399-0974

hal-01544756
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01544756