Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), a permanent dilation in the abdominal region of the aorta, is a highly sexually dimorphic disease. AAAs prevalence is ranging from 4-10 fold higher in males than females. Defining the mechanistic basis for reduced (in females) or increased (in males) AAA formation and progression may uncover potential therapeutic targets. The majority of studies examining sexual dimorphism focus on the role of sex hormones. However, genes residing on sex chromosomes, in addition to sex hormones, may contribute to sexual dimorphism of AAAs. For example, the X chromosome contains about 5% of the whole genome, but the role of sex chromosomes genes to sexual dimorphism of cardiovascular diseases such as AAAs is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of sex chromosomes as mediators of sex differences for angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AAAs in hypercholesterolemic mice. We used the four core genotype murine model, which enables the creation of phenotypically normal male and female mice with an XX versus XY sex chromosome complement, to test the hypothesis that an XY sex chromosome complement promotes AngII-induced AAAs. Transgenic male mice expressing the Sry gene on an autosome, but not on the Y-chromosome, were bred to female low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient mice to create male and female mice with an XX or an XY sex chromosome complement. In females, an XY sex chromosome complement doubled the incidence and markedly increased the severity of AngII-induced AAAs. To define mechanisms, we examined gene expression patterns in abdominal aortas and demonstrated elevated expression of inflammatory genes that were linked to increased MMP activity and oxidative stress in aortas from XY females. Moreover, administration of testosterone to XY females, to mimic males, resulted in a striking level of aneurysm rupture. In males, transcriptional profiling of abdominal aortas revealed 450 genes that were influenced by sex chromosomes. Infusion of AngII to XY males resulted in diffuse pathology along the length of the aorta, while XX males developed focal AAAs, with pathology reduced by orchiectomy in both genotypes. Thoracic aortas of XY males exhibited adventitial thickening which was not exist in thoracic aortas from XX males. Following a prolonged period (3 months) of AngII infusions XY males had AAAs with expanded aortic walls, while XX males had thin walled dilated AAAs. In summary, our findings demonstrate a remarkable effect of sex chromosome complement to regulate aortic vasculature and disease development. Aside from demonstrating mechanisms of sexual dimorphism of aortic diseases, these findings indicate that chronic sex hormone therapy in the aging and transgender population may have cardiovascular ramifications. Moreover, identification of targets influenced by sex chromosomes and/or sex hormones in a manner that predicts disease development may identify sex-specific approaches to cardiovascular therapy.

Phenotypic differences between the sexes evolve largely because selection favours a different complement of traits in either sex. Theory suggests that, despite its frequency, sexual dimorphism should be generally constrained from evolving because the sexes share much of their genome. While selection can lead to adaptation in one sex, correlated responses to selection can be maladaptive in the other. In this thesis I use Drosophila to examine the extent to which the shared genome constrains the evolution of sexual dimorphism and whether the sex chromosomes might play a special role in resolving intralocus sexual conflict. Gene expression data shows that intersexual genetic correlations are generally high, suggesting that genes often affect both sexes. The intersexual genetic correlation is negatively associated with sex-bias in expression in D. melanogaster, and the rate of change in sex-bias between D. melanogaster and six closely related species, showing that a sex-specific genetic architecture is a prerequisite for the evolution of sex difference. In further studies I find that genetic variance affecting lifespan is found in the male-limited Y chromosome within a population, which could offer a route to the evolution of further sexual dimorphism in lifespan, though the amount of variance was small suggesting adaptive potential from standing genetic variance is limited. Genetic variance on the X chromosome is also expected to be depleted once the sex chromosomes evolve, but here I find no evidence of depletion in either sex. Dosage compensation does not appear to double the male X-linked genetic variance, but this effect may be complex to detect. Finally, the X chromosome appears to be enriched for sex-specific genetic variance, and the consequences of this are explored using a variety of analytical methods to test biologically meaningful aspects of G-matrix structure. In summary, this thesis suggests that the evolution of sexual dimorphism is generally constrained by the shared genome, but intralocus sexual conflict could be resolved by novel mutations on the Y chromosomes, and by standing sex-specific genetic variance on the X chromosome. It highlights a special role for the X chromosome in the evolution of sexual dimorphism.

At the core of evolutionary biology stands the study of divergence between populations and the formation of new species. This dissertation applies a diverse array of theoretical and statistical approaches to study how chromosomes evolve. In the first chapter, I build models that predict the amount of neutral genetic variation in chromosomal inversions involved in local adaptation, providing a foundation for future studies on the role of these rearrangements in population divergence. In the second chapter, I use a large dataset of the geographic variation in frequency of a chromosomal inversion to infer natural selection and non-random mating, revealing that this inversion could be implicated in strong reproductive isolation between subpopulations of a single species. In the third chapter, I use coalescent models for recombining sex chromosomes coupled with approximate Bayesian computation to estimate the recombination rate between X and Y chromosomes in European tree frogs. This novel approach allows me to infer a rate so low that would have been hard to detect with empirical methods. In the fourth chapter, I study the theoretical conditions that favor the evolution of a chromosome fusion that reduces recombination between locally adapted alleles. / text

Darbo tikslas buvo nustatyti Ternerio sindromo fenotipo ryšį su nustatyta chromosomine konstitucija ir jo įtaką šeiminei homeostazei. TS paplitimas, dažnis ir ligonių amžius diagnozavimo metu iki šiol nebuvo aprašytas mūsų tirtoje populiacijoje. KMU biologijos katedros citogenetikos laboratorijoje buvo ištirti kariotipai 1271 asmeniui, kuriam galima buvo įtarti TS: naujagimiai su įgimtomis sklaidos ydomis; mergaitės su fizinio vystymosi atsilikimais; mergaitės su brendimo atsilikimu; moterys su pirmine amenorėja; moterys su antrine amenorėja; moterys, tirtos dėl persileidimų ir nevaisingumo. Kariotipo pakitimai, būdingi TS, diagnozuoti 236 asmenims (18,6 proc.). Išskirti trys pagrindiniai kariotipo pakitimų variantai ir įvertinta, ar vienoda jų įtaka fenotipui. Tirta, ar yra skirtumas šių ligonių grupių fenotipe pagal tirtuosius parametrus: nėštumo trukmę, naujagimių kūno ilgį ir svorį, mergaičių ūgį ir svorį iki 18 metų amžiaus, tėvų amžių gimstant vaikui, sibsų amžių, paciento, kuriam įtariamas TS, amžių kariotipo tyrimo metu. Ištirta ir aprašyta keletas retų chromosomų disbalanso variantų. Nustatyta, kad monosominiai ligoniai dažniau vienintelę X chromosomą paveldi iš motinos (80,5 proc.), negu iš tėvo. Pirmą kartą atliktas šeiminis daugiaveiksniškai paveldimų požymių tyrimas (elektrokardiogramos ir gliukozės toleravimo mėginys) ne tik probandams, sergantiems TS, bet ir jų pirmosios eilės giminėms. Lietuvoje bent pusė TS atvejų lieka neatpažinti, todėl, siekiant kuo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of this study is to evaluate the link of chromosome constitution in Turner syndrome and in disruption of familial homeostasis. The distribution and incidence of TS in population nor the age of patients at the moment of diagnosis were not described previously. Cytogenetical laboratory at the Department of biology has investigated karyotypes for 1271. The number of abnormal karyotypes found is 236 (18.6%). We divided the patients into three groups according to logical, in our opinion, changes in their karyotypes. The aim of our research was to find out, if there were significant differences in phenotypes within those groups. Such traits were chosen for the comparison: the duration of pregnancy, length and weight of newborns, height and weight of the girls under 18 years old, the age of parents at birth of propositus, the age of the siblings, and the age at which TS was diagnosed for the patient. We predicted, that in a case of complete 45,X monosomy the clinical manifestation of the syndrome should be more severe, and this group of patients would differ from other karyological groups. We have found that in 80.5% of cases X chromosome had the maternal origin and in the rest 19.5% – paternal. To investigate the multifactorially inherited traits (electrocardiograms and glucose tolerance test) in relatives of Turner syndrome patients. We suggest that for the earlier diagnosis of TS, it is reasonable to investigate all girls, whose height is less than 3rd percentile.

In the B6.YTIR mouse strain, half of the XY progeny develop bilateral ovaries and the female phenotype. These XY females are infertile mainly due to the death of their embryos. This developmental failure has been attributed to a defect intrinsic to the XY oocyte. / The present study examined the transcriptional activity of the X and Y chromosomes in these oocytes. RT-PCR results show that the Ube1y gene is transcribed in the XY ovary at all stages examined and also in growing XY oocytes. The Sry gene was transcribed only at the onset of ovarian differentiation whereas the Zfy gene was undetectable at all stages during fetal life. The Xist gene, which is involved in X inactivation, was not expressed in XY oocytes. We speculate that expression of Y-encoded genes may have a deleterious effect on the quality of the oocytes and thus renders them incompetent for post-fertilization development.

It is known that chromosomal rearrangements play an important role in speciation by limiting gene flow within and between species. Furthermore, this effect may be enhanced by involvement of sex chromosomes that are known to undergo fast evolution compared to autosomes and play a special role in speciation due to their engagement in postzygotic reproductive isolation. The work presented in this study uses various molecular-genetic and cytogenetic techniques to describe karyotype and sex chromosome evolution of two groups of Lepidoptera, namely selected representatives of the family Tortricidae and Leptidea wood white butterflies of the family Pieridae. The acquired knowledge points to unexpected evolutionary dynamics of lepidopteran karyotypes including the presence of derived neo-sex chromosome systems that originated as a result of chromosomal rearrangements. We discuss the significance of these findings for radiation and subsequent speciation of both lepidopteran groups.

Orientador: Fauto Foresti / Coorientador: José Carlos Pansonato Alves / Banca: Diego Teruo Hashimoto / Banca: Marcelo Ricardo Vicari / Banca: Orlando Moreira Filho / Banca: Claudio de Oliveira / Resumo: No presente estudo, foram analisadas dezoito espécies de peixes do gênero Characidium, C. cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante, C. stigmosum, Characidium sp1, Characidium sp2, Characidium sp3, Characidium sp4, Characidium sp5, Characidium sp6, C. pterostictum, C. vestigipinne, C. rachovii, C. orientale, C. serrano, C. timbuiense, C. vidali e Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali de diferentes bacias hidrográficas brasileiras, com o uso de técnicas citogenéticas básicas (coloração com Giemsa e bandamento C) e moleculares (hibridação in situ fluorescente com sondas de DNAr 18S e 5S, DNA telomérico (TTAGGG)n e 4 sequências de microssatélites ((CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15 e (TTA)10), e pintura cromossômica através da microdissecção e amplificação do cromossomo sexual W de C. gomesi (sonda chamada de CgW). Além disso, foi realizado o sequenciamento de DNA associado a sítios de restrição pela enzima SbfI (RAD-tags) através do sistema Illumina Genome Analyzer em machos e fêmeas de C. gomesi. Todas as espécies apresentaram número diploide de 2n=50 cromossomos, com predominância dos cromossomos dos tipos meta e submetacêntricos, além da ocorrência de cromossomos supranumerários em Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali e um par cromossômico acrocêntrico exclusivo detectado em C. pterostictum, C. serrano e C. timbuiense. Foi observada também a ocorrência de um sistema ZZ/ZW de cromossomos sexuais em distintos estágios de diferenciação em todas as espécies, com exceção de Characidium cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante e C. stigmosum. A análise da heterocromatina constitutiva por bandamento C revelou a presença de heterocromatina nos cromossomos sexuais, principalmente no cromossomo W e em blocos intersticiais e/ou teloméricos nos braços longos do cromossomo Z e nos cromossomos Bs de Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali. Sequências de DNAr 5S foram localizadas em diferentes cromossomos, com variação na quantidade de sítios entre as espécies,... / Abstract: In the present study, eighteen species from the genus Characidium collected at different river basins were analyzed, including C. cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante, C. stigmosum, Characidium sp1, Characidium sp2, Characidium sp3, Characidium sp4, Characidium sp5, Characidium sp6, C. pterostictum, C. vestigipinne, C. rachovii, C. orientale, C. serrano, C. timbuiense, C. vidali e Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali. The analyses involved classical (Giemsa conventional staining and C-banding) and molecular cytogenetic techniques (fluorescent in situ hybridization with ribosomal 5S and 18S, telomeric, microsatellite motifs and U2 snDNA probes, whole chromosome painting using W-specific probe obtained from C. gomesi-CgW). Besides that, DNA sequencing of restriction-associated DNA (RAD) was carried out in males and females of C. gomesi. All species showed diploid chromosome numbers of 2n=50, with karyotypes mainly composed of meta- and submetacentric types, besides the occurrence of supernumerary chromosomes in Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali and one acrocentric pair in C. pterostictum, C. serrano e C. timbuiense. Also, almost all the analyzed species showed a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in distinct evolutionary stages, except Characidium cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante e C. stigmosum. The constitutive heterochromatin was located differentially on the W chromosomes and in interstitial and telomeric position on the Z chromosomes, as well as in the B chromosomes of Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali. 5S rDNA was differentially distributed in the different species, with variations on the number of clusters per genome and position in the karyotype, while the 18S rDNA was conserved in number of sites per genome and variable in location. Conversely, the U2 snDNA distribution was conserved in a single homologous chromosome pair in all species, except in Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali and Characidium sp2. Telomeric probes revealed species with several interstitial... / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-07T17:12:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-02-27. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-06-07T17:16:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000864281.pdf: 2841286 bytes, checksum: e1b59c63f77c2d49bd85b14c3d63dde2 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / No presente estudo, foram analisadas dezoito espécies de peixes do gênero Characidium, C. cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante, C. stigmosum, Characidium sp1, Characidium sp2, Characidium sp3, Characidium sp4, Characidium sp5, Characidium sp6, C. pterostictum, C. vestigipinne, C. rachovii, C. orientale, C. serrano, C. timbuiense, C. vidali e Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali de diferentes bacias hidrográficas brasileiras, com o uso de técnicas citogenéticas básicas (coloração com Giemsa e bandamento C) e moleculares (hibridação in situ fluorescente com sondas de DNAr 18S e 5S, DNA telomérico (TTAGGG)n e 4 sequências de microssatélites ((CA)15, (GA)15, (CG)15 e (TTA)10), e pintura cromossômica através da microdissecção e amplificação do cromossomo sexual W de C. gomesi (sonda chamada de CgW). Além disso, foi realizado o sequenciamento de DNA associado a sítios de restrição pela enzima SbfI (RAD-tags) através do sistema Illumina Genome Analyzer em machos e fêmeas de C. gomesi. Todas as espécies apresentaram número diploide de 2n=50 cromossomos, com predominância dos cromossomos dos tipos meta e submetacêntricos, além da ocorrência de cromossomos supranumerários em Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali e um par cromossômico acrocêntrico exclusivo detectado em C. pterostictum, C. serrano e C. timbuiense. Foi observada também a ocorrência de um sistema ZZ/ZW de cromossomos sexuais em distintos estágios de diferenciação em todas as espécies, com exceção de Characidium cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante e C. stigmosum. A análise da heterocromatina constitutiva por bandamento C revelou a presença de heterocromatina nos cromossomos sexuais, principalmente no cromossomo W e em blocos intersticiais e/ou teloméricos nos braços longos do cromossomo Z e nos cromossomos Bs de Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali. Sequências de DNAr 5S foram localizadas em diferentes cromossomos, com variação na quantidade de sítios entre as espécies,... / In the present study, eighteen species from the genus Characidium collected at different river basins were analyzed, including C. cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante, C. stigmosum, Characidium sp1, Characidium sp2, Characidium sp3, Characidium sp4, Characidium sp5, Characidium sp6, C. pterostictum, C. vestigipinne, C. rachovii, C. orientale, C. serrano, C. timbuiense, C. vidali e Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali. The analyses involved classical (Giemsa conventional staining and C-banding) and molecular cytogenetic techniques (fluorescent in situ hybridization with ribosomal 5S and 18S, telomeric, microsatellite motifs and U2 snDNA probes, whole chromosome painting using W-specific probe obtained from C. gomesi-CgW). Besides that, DNA sequencing of restriction-associated DNA (RAD) was carried out in males and females of C. gomesi. All species showed diploid chromosome numbers of 2n=50, with karyotypes mainly composed of meta- and submetacentric types, besides the occurrence of supernumerary chromosomes in Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali and one acrocentric pair in C. pterostictum, C. serrano e C. timbuiense. Also, almost all the analyzed species showed a ZZ/ZW sex chromosome system in distinct evolutionary stages, except Characidium cf. zebra, C. tenue, C. xavante e C. stigmosum. The constitutive heterochromatin was located differentially on the W chromosomes and in interstitial and telomeric position on the Z chromosomes, as well as in the B chromosomes of Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali. 5S rDNA was differentially distributed in the different species, with variations on the number of clusters per genome and position in the karyotype, while the 18S rDNA was conserved in number of sites per genome and variable in location. Conversely, the U2 snDNA distribution was conserved in a single homologous chromosome pair in all species, except in Characidium sp. aff. C. vidali and Characidium sp2. Telomeric probes revealed species with several interstitial... / FAPESP: 10/19971-8

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-01T13:10:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-07-29. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-07-01T13:13:45Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000866048.pdf: 1772468 bytes, checksum: a3e7a4ffd79b2967e014506e0bde4ccb (MD5) / Comisión Nacional de Investigación Ciencia y Técnologia (CONICYT) / No presente trabalho, foram analisadas seis espécies/citótipos de peixes do gênero Eigenmannia, sendo E. microstoma, E. limbata, E. virescens, E. aff trilineata, Eigenmannia sp1 e Eigenmannia sp2, de diferentes bacias hidrográficas brasileiras, com o uso de técnicas citogenéticas básicas envolvendo a coloração com Giemsa e bandamento C e também técnicas de citogenética molecular, com a aplicação de hibridação in situ fluorescente (FISH) envolvendo o uso de sondas de DNAr 18S e 5S, DNA histônico H3/H4 e de RNAsn U2. Também foi estudado o comportamento meiótico e o nível de diferenciação do sistema múltiplo de cromossomos sexuais de Eigenmannia sp2 por imunodetecção de proteínas do complexo sinaptonêmico (SYCP3), proteínas relacionadas com a atividade da cromatina (H3K9me) e marcadores do tipo proteína γH2AX envolvida no reparo das quebras do DNA e associadas ao nível de pareamento dos bivalentes nos cromossomos meióticos. Finalmente, os dados da caracterização citogenética foram comparados com análises de DNA barcode para permitir uma melhor delimitação das espécies/citótipos analisados neste estudo. Os representantes analisados deste grupo confirmara a apresentação de expressiva variação no número diplóide, tendo sido observados deste cariótipos compostos por 28 cromossomos em Eigenmannia sp1 até o número diplóide de 38 cromossomos em E. microstoma, E. limbata e E. virescens. Em E. aff trilineata foi descrita pela primeira vez a ocorrência de um polimorfismo cromossômico do tipo ZZ/Z0 associado ao sexo, em que os machos apresentam cariótipos compostos por 32 cromossomos enquanto as fêmeas possuem cariótipos constituídos por 31 cromossomos. Sequências de DNAr 5S e RNAsn U2 foram localizadas em diferentes cromossomos, com variação na quantidade de sítios entre as espécies, enquanto o DNAr 18S apresentou-se conservado em relação ao número de cromossomos portadores, porém variando na... / In the present study, six species/cytotypes from de genus Eigenmannia collected at different Brazilian hydrographic basins were analyzed, including E. microstoma, E. limbata and E. virescens, E. aff trilineata, Eigenmannia sp1, and Eigenmannia sp2 using classical (Giemsa conventional staining and C-banding) and molecular cytogenetic techniques (fluorescence in situ hybridization with 5S and 18S rDNA, H3/H4 histone genes and U2 snDNA probes). Besides that, it was studied the meiotic behavior and the differentiation level of multiple sex chromosome system in Eigenmannia sp2 by immunodetection for synaptonemal complex proteins (SYCP3), proteins related to chromatin activity (H3K9me) and associated markers with the bivalent level pairing of the meiotic chromosomes (γH2AX). Finally, the cytogenetics results were analyzed in conjunction with the barcode DNA analysis for a better delineation of species/cytotypes studied. The analyzed species/cytotypes showed diploid number variation, with diploid numbers ranging from 28 chromosomes in Eigenmannia sp1 to 38 chromosomes in E. microstoma, E. limbata and E. virescens. In E. aff trilineata, for the first time, showed a ZZ/Z0 sex chromosome system, where males have karyotypes with 32 chromosomes to 31 chromosomes to females. 5S rDNA and U2 snDNA were located on different chromosomes, with variations on the number of clusters in the different species, while the 18S rDNA was conserved in number of sites per genome and variable in location. The meiotic analysis in the sex chromosomes of Eigenmannia sp2 showed a completely synaptic sexual trivalent X1X2Y formation without unsynaptics presence and inactive chromatin regions throughout its structure. These results suggest that this sex chromosomes system would be a recent rearrangement or simply it is a sex-linked character in this population. All the six species/cytotypes of Eigenmannia analyzed were easily ...

Orientador: Fausto Foresti / Coorientador: José Carlos Pansonato Alves / Banca: Orlando Moreira-Filho / Banca: Roberto Ferreira Artoni / Banca: Diogo Teruo Hashimoto / Banca: Patrícia Elda Sobrinho Scudeler / Resumo: No presente trabalho, foram analisadas seis espécies/citótipos de peixes do gênero Eigenmannia, sendo E. microstoma, E. limbata, E. virescens, E. aff trilineata, Eigenmannia sp1 e Eigenmannia sp2, de diferentes bacias hidrográficas brasileiras, com o uso de técnicas citogenéticas básicas envolvendo a coloração com Giemsa e bandamento C e também técnicas de citogenética molecular, com a aplicação de hibridação in situ fluorescente (FISH) envolvendo o uso de sondas de DNAr 18S e 5S, DNA histônico H3/H4 e de RNAsn U2. Também foi estudado o comportamento meiótico e o nível de diferenciação do sistema múltiplo de cromossomos sexuais de Eigenmannia sp2 por imunodetecção de proteínas do complexo sinaptonêmico (SYCP3), proteínas relacionadas com a atividade da cromatina (H3K9me) e marcadores do tipo proteína γH2AX envolvida no reparo das quebras do DNA e associadas ao nível de pareamento dos bivalentes nos cromossomos meióticos. Finalmente, os dados da caracterização citogenética foram comparados com análises de DNA barcode para permitir uma melhor delimitação das espécies/citótipos analisados neste estudo. Os representantes analisados deste grupo confirmara a apresentação de expressiva variação no número diplóide, tendo sido observados deste cariótipos compostos por 28 cromossomos em Eigenmannia sp1 até o número diplóide de 38 cromossomos em E. microstoma, E. limbata e E. virescens. Em E. aff trilineata foi descrita pela primeira vez a ocorrência de um polimorfismo cromossômico do tipo ZZ/Z0 associado ao sexo, em que os machos apresentam cariótipos compostos por 32 cromossomos enquanto as fêmeas possuem cariótipos constituídos por 31 cromossomos. Sequências de DNAr 5S e RNAsn U2 foram localizadas em diferentes cromossomos, com variação na quantidade de sítios entre as espécies, enquanto o DNAr 18S apresentou-se conservado em relação ao número de cromossomos portadores, porém variando na... / Abstract: In the present study, six species/cytotypes from de genus Eigenmannia collected at different Brazilian hydrographic basins were analyzed, including E. microstoma, E. limbata and E. virescens, E. aff trilineata, Eigenmannia sp1, and Eigenmannia sp2 using classical (Giemsa conventional staining and C-banding) and molecular cytogenetic techniques (fluorescence in situ hybridization with 5S and 18S rDNA, H3/H4 histone genes and U2 snDNA probes). Besides that, it was studied the meiotic behavior and the differentiation level of multiple sex chromosome system in Eigenmannia sp2 by immunodetection for synaptonemal complex proteins (SYCP3), proteins related to chromatin activity (H3K9me) and associated markers with the bivalent level pairing of the meiotic chromosomes (γH2AX). Finally, the cytogenetics results were analyzed in conjunction with the barcode DNA analysis for a better delineation of species/cytotypes studied. The analyzed species/cytotypes showed diploid number variation, with diploid numbers ranging from 28 chromosomes in Eigenmannia sp1 to 38 chromosomes in E. microstoma, E. limbata and E. virescens. In E. aff trilineata, for the first time, showed a ZZ/Z0 sex chromosome system, where males have karyotypes with 32 chromosomes to 31 chromosomes to females. 5S rDNA and U2 snDNA were located on different chromosomes, with variations on the number of clusters in the different species, while the 18S rDNA was conserved in number of sites per genome and variable in location. The meiotic analysis in the sex chromosomes of Eigenmannia sp2 showed a completely synaptic sexual trivalent X1X2Y formation without unsynaptics presence and inactive chromatin regions throughout its structure. These results suggest that this sex chromosomes system would be a recent rearrangement or simply it is a sex-linked character in this population. All the six species/cytotypes of Eigenmannia analyzed were easily ... / Doutor