Intense genomic reorganization in the genus Oecomys (Rodentia, Sigmodontinae): comparison between DNA barcoding and mapping of repetitive elements in three species of the Brazilian Amazon

Renan Gabriel Gomes Junior; Carlos Henrique Schneider; Thatianna de Lira; Natália Dayane Moura Carvalho; Eliana Feldberg; Maria Nazareth Ferreira da Silva; Maria Claudia Gross

doi:10.3897/compcytogen.v10i3.8306

Abstract

Oecomys Thomas, 1906 is one of the most diverse and widely distributed genera within the tribe Oryzomyini. At least sixteen species in this genus have been described to date, but it is believed this genus contains undescribed species. Morphological, molecular and cytogenetic study has revealed an uncertain taxonomic status for several Oecomys species, suggesting the presence of a complex of species. The present work had the goal of contributing to the genetic characterization of the genus Oecomys in the Brazilian Amazon. Thirty specimens were collected from four locations in the Brazilian Amazon and three nominal species recognized: Oecomys auyantepui (Tate, 1939), O. bicolor (Tomes, 1860) and O. rutilus (Anthony, 1921). COI sequence analysis grouped O. auyantepui, O. bicolor and O. rutilus specimens into one, three and two clades, respectively, which is consistent with their geographic distribution. Cytogenetic data for O. auyantepui revealed the sympatric occurrence of two different diploid numbers, 2n=64/NFa=110 and 2n=66/NFa=114, suggesting polymorphism while O. bicolor exhibited 2n=80/NFa=142 and O. rutilus2n=54/NFa=90. The distribution of constitutive heterochromatin followed a species-specific pattern. Interspecific variation was evident in the chromosomal location and number of 18S rDNA loci. However, not all loci showed signs of activity. All three species displayed a similar pattern for 5S rDNA, with only one pair carrying this locus. Interstitial telomeric sites were found only in O. auyantepui. The data presented in this work reinforce intra- and interspecific variations observed in the diploid number of Oecomys species and indicate that chromosomal rearrangements have led to the appearance of different diploid numbers and karyotypic formulas.

Keywords

Oryzomyini , FISH, telomere, rDNA, heterochromatin, COI

Introduction

The order Rodentia is divided into nine taxonomic families in Brazil. The family Cricetidae contains the most members, among which the subfamily Sigmodontinae includes 86 genera and 395 species (sensu Reig 1980) according to Prado and Percequillo (2013). Oryzomyini is the most diverse tribe of the Sigmodontinae, and the genus Oecomys Thomas, 1906 is one of the most diverse of the tribe Oryzomyini (Prado and Percequillo 2013). However, its morphological and karyological distinction and generic status were only recognized relatively recently (Andrades-Miranda et al. 2001, Carleton and Musser 1984, Gardner and Patton 1976, Reig 1984, 1986 as cited in Musser and Carleton 2005). Similarity among species and the limited understanding of morphological variations in Oecomys (including interspecific, intraspecific, geographic, and specimen age-inherent variations) have rendered species identification difficult.

Currently, 16 species are recognized within this genus (Musser and Carleton 2005, Carleton et al. 2009), but only nine species have been studied for karyotypes, showing 11 different diploid numbers, varying between 54 and 86 chromosomes (Table 1). In Brazil 12 species were registered and 9 of which can be found in Amazon biome; O. auyantepui Tate, 1939, O. bicolor (Tomes, 1860), O. concolor (Wagner, 1845), O. paricola (Thomas, 1904), O. rex Thomas, 1910, O. roberti (Thomas, 1904), O. rutilus Anthony, 1921, O. superans Thomas, 1911 and O. trinitatis (J. A. Allen & Chapman, 1893) (Bonvicino et al. 2008; Flores 2010). Variations in fundamental number have also been reported in species with the same diploid number, which is an indicator of chromosomal rearrangements within the group (Rosa et al. 2012). However, morphological and morphometric analysis in conjunction with molecular and cytogenetic approaches revealed uncertainty in the delimitation and distribution of Oecomys species, suggesting the presence of a complex of species (Patton and Sherwood 1983, Emmons and Feer 1997, Patton et al. 2000, Musser and Carleton 2005, Carleton et al. 2009, Flores 2010, Rosa et al. 2012).

Table 1.

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Karyotypes recorded for species of the genus Oecomys. Diploid Number (2n), fundamental number (FN) and location are listed.

Species	Location	2n	FN	Reference
O. auyantepui	Jari river – PA	72	80	Lira (2012)
O. auyantepui	Jatapu river – AM	64 66	110 114	Present paper Present paper
O. bahienses**	São Lourenço da Mata – PE	60	62	Langguth et al. (2005)
O. bicolor	Jari river – PA	54	82	Lira (2012)
O. bicolor	SUR	80	–	Baker et al. (1983)
O. bicolor	RR Ipameri and Serra da mesa– GO	80	124	Andrades-Miranda et al. (2000) Andrades-Miranda et al. (2001)
O. bicolor	Curanja river – PER	80	134	Gardner and Patton (1976)
O. bicolor	Curanja river – PER	80	136	Gardner and Patton (1976)
O. bicolor	Juruá river – AM	80	140	Patton et al. (2000)
O. bicolor	Purus and Jatapu river – AM	80	142	Present paper
O. bicolor	? Hydropower plant UEH Samuel – GO	82	110	Andrades-Miranda et al. (2000) Andrades-Miranda et al. (2001)
O. bicolor	Jari river – PA	82	116	Lira (2012)
O. bicolor	Jurua river – AM	86	98	Patton et al. (2000)
O. catherinae	GO, São Lourenço da Mata – PE Ubatuba – SP, Cruz do Espírito Santo – PB, Igarassú, Jaqueira and Paudalho – PERJ	60	62	Andrades-Miranda et al. (2001) Andrade and Bonvicino (2003) Langguth et al. (2005)Pinheiro and Geise (2008)Asfora et al. (2011)
O. catherinae	Ubatuba – SPRJ	60	64	Pinheiro e Geise (2008) Asfora et al. (2011)
O. catherinae	RJ, SP	86	98	Patton et al. (2000)
O. concolor	PAN	58	–	Baker et al. (1983)
O. concolor	SUR	60	–	Baker et al. (1983)
O. concolor	Villavicencio – COL	60	62	Gardner and Patton (1976)
O. concolor	MEX	60	–	Andrade and Bonvicino (2003)
O. concolor	MEX	61	–	Andrade and Bonvicino (2003)
O. concolor	Curanja River – PER	80	112	Gardner and Patton (1976)
O. concolor	DF, RJ, GO, SP, RO	60	62	Gardner and Patton (1976)Svartman (1989)Andrades-Miranda et al. (2000)Andrades-Miranda et al. (2001) Andrade and Bonvicino (2003)
O. paricola	Environment Park – PA	68	72	Rosa et al. (2012)
O. paricola	Marajó island – PA	70	72	Rosa et al. (2012)
O. paricola	Environment Park – PA	70	76	Rosa et al. (2012)
O. rex	Jari river – PA	62	80	Lira (2012)
O. roberti	AM	80	114	Patton et al. (2000)
O. roberti	Juruá river – AM Jamari river – RO	82	106	Langguth et al. (2005)
O. rutilus	Negro river – AM	54	90	Present paper
O. superans	PER Jurua river – AM	80	108	Gardner and Patton (1976) Andrade and Bonvicino (2003) Patton et al. (2000)
O. trinitatis	Jurua river – AM	58	96	Patton et al. (2000)
Oecomys sp.	Cuieiras river – AM	54	84	Lira (2012)
Oecomys sp.	Jatapu – AM	54	86	Lira (2012)
Oecomys sp.	MS	72	90	Andrade and Bonvicino (2003)

Hence, in the present study, we used classic and molecular cytogenetics approaches in order to enable the genetic characterization of three species of the genus Oecomys from the Brazilian Amazon. Further, we used DNA barcoding to evaluate the intra- and interspecific distances, and infer the utility in species identification by combining this dataset with sequences deposited in GenBank.

Materials and methods

Samples

Thirty specimens were collected from five locations in the Brazilian Amazon (Fig. 1, Table 2) and euthanized according to the recommendations of Resolution CFBIO N. 301 from December 8^th, 2012. Voucher specimens were prepared or fixed, and stored in 70% ethanol; the specimens are currently stored in the mammal collection of the National Institute of Amazonian Research [Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPA] (Table 2). The methods for the collection, maintenance and processing of the material complied with the guidelines of the Brazilian College of Animal Experimentation [Colégio Brasileiro de Experimentação Animal – COBEA] and were approved by the Ethics Committee On Animal Use of the Federal University of Amazonas [Comissão de Ética no Uso de Animais da Universidade Federal do Amazonas] (043/2013-CEUA/UFAM). Individuals were collected with the permission of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation [(Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade – ICMBIO), License No. 10832-1 /35513-1). It must be noted that the collections took place outside of conservation units and that these species are not threatened with extinction. Samples were collected from the hematopoietic organ of each individual following euthanasia to obtain chromosome preparations and muscle tissue for DNA extraction.

Figure 1.

Map of the Brazilian Amazon, indicating the collection sites. The left and right banks of the following Amazonas state rivers were sampled: 1 Jatapú (near the city of São Sebastião do Uatumã - 0°50’ to 1°55'S; 58°50’ to 60°10'W) 2 Negro (near the city of Santa Isabel do Rio Negro - 0°24.4'N; 65°1.017'W) 3 Purus (near the city of Tapauá - 05°42.183'S, 63°13.967'W) 4 Cuieiras (02°47'S, 60°27'W) 5 Tapajós (03°21.283'S, 55°11.733'W). BOL = Bolivia, PER = Peru, ECU = Ecuador, COL = Colombia, VEN = Venezuela, GUY = Guyana, SUR = Suriname, FRE = French Guyana, RR = Roraima, AP = Amapa, AM = Amazonas, PA = Para, RO = Rondonia, AC = Acre, MA = Maranhão, PI = Piaui, TO = Tocantins, BA = Bahia, MT = Mato Grosso, GO = Goias, MG = Minas Gerais.

Table 2.

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Species of Oecomys collected in present work: The voucher, collection sites, sex, diploid number (2n), fundamental number (FN), karyotype formula, Nucleolus organizer region (NOR), rDNA 18S (18S), rDNA 5S (5s) are listed; M = male; F = female; m = metacentric; sm = submetacentric; st = subtelocentric; a = acrocentric; X = Sexual chromosome X; Y = Sexual chromosome Y. Bold voucher were karyotyped in the present work.

Species	Voucher	Sex	Collection sites	2n	FN	Karyotype formula	NOR	18S	5S
O. auyantepui	INPA 6754	M	Brazil, AM – Jatapú River	64	110	12m+10sm+26st +16a+XY	10p and 14p	10p and 14p	5p
	INPA 6751	M		66	112	16m+6sm+26st+ 14a+XY	10p and 14p	10p and 14p	5p
	INPA 6753	M		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6747	M		–	–	–	–	–	–
O. bicolor	INPA 6772	M	Brazil, AM – Purus River	80	142	18m+10sm+36st+ 14a+XY	15p, 18p, 21p, 22p and 26p	2p, 3p, 13p, 15p, 16p, 18p, 19p, 21p, 22p, 25p 26p and 30p	7p
	INPA 6749	M	Brazil, AM – Jatapú River
	INPA 6756	M
	INPA 6758	M
	INPA 6757	F
	INPA 6752	M	Brazil, AM – Jatapú River	–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6773	F	Brazil, AM – Purus River	–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6770	M	Brazil, AM – Negro River	–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6775	M	Brazil, PA – Tapajós River	–	–	–	–	–	–
O. rutilus	INPA 6760	F	Brazil, AM – Negro River	54	90	24m+6sm+8st+ 14a+XX	4p and 23p	4p and 23p	1p
	INPA 6761	F
	INPA 6762	F
	INPA 6768	M
	INPA 6767	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6769	M		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6766	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6763	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6764	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6765	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6774	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6759	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6745	F	Brazil, AM – Cuieiras River	–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6746	M		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6744	F		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6750	M	Brazil, AM – Jatapú River	–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6755	M		–	–	–	–	–	–
	INPA 6748	F		–	–	–	–	–	–

Chromosome analysis

Mitotic chromosomal preparations were obtained using the protocol described by Ford and Harmerton (1956), with some modifications. Nucleolus organizing regions (NORs), heterochromatin and G-banding were identified through silver nitrate staining (Howell and Black 1980), the C-banding technique (Sumner 1972) and trypsin solution (Seabright 1971), respectively. 5S and 18S rDNA probes were obtained after PCR amplification using the following primers: 5Sf (5’-CAG GGT CGG GCC TGG TTA GTA-3’) and 5Sr (5’-CTT CYG AGA TCA GAC GAG ATC-3’); 18Sf (5’-CCG CTT TGG TGA CTC TTG AT-3’) and 18Sr (5’-CCG AGG ACC TCA CTA AAC CA-3’) (Gross et al. 2010). For telomere sequences, DNA-free amplifications were performed using the primers (TTAGGG)₅ and (CCCTAA)₅ (Ijdo et al. 1991). Amplification reactions were conducted in a total volume of 25 µl (~100 ng of genomic DNA), containing 10× reaction buffer (final concentration: 10 mM Tris-HCl; 1.5 mM MgCl₂; 50 mM KCl; pH 8.3), 0.3 units of Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 mM each dNTP, 0.2 µl of each primer and Milli-Q water to the final volume; the annealing temperature was 56 ºC for 18S rDNA and 59 °C for 5S rDNA, and the final volume was 25 µl. The 5S gene PCR product was labeled with Biotin (Biotin Nick translations mix, Roch) and the 18S gene and telomere sequences with digoxigenin (Dig-Nick Translation mix, Roche), following the manufacturer’s instructions. Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated streptavidin (Life technologies) and anti-digoxigenin rhodamine (Roche) antibodies were used to detect the probe signal. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was carried out based on the protocols described by Pinkel et al. (1986).

Slides were screened for metaphases, at least 30 for each technique were analyzed and the best metaphases were photo-documented using an Olympus BX-51 epifluorescence microscope. Chromosomes were organized by decreasing size, and their morphology was determined based on the centromere position, being classified as metacentric (m), submetacentric (sm), subtelocentric (st) or acrocentric (a) (Levan et al. 1964).

Mitochondrial DNA analysis

DNA was extracted according to the protocol described by Sambrook and Russel (2001). The cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequence was obtained through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the universal primers described by Ivanova et al. (2007). The PCR products were purified with the ExoSap® kit (GE Healthcare) and sequenced using the method described by Sanger et al. (1977) on an ABI 3130XL automatic sequencer. The resulting sequences were submitted to the NCBI database under the following accession numbers: KT258600–KT258632.

Sequences were manually aligned using BioEdit v7.2.2 software (Hall 2001) and compared with sequences deposited in GenBank using BLASTn (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool). A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was conducted with MrBayes 3.2 (Ronquist and Huelsenbeck 2003). For this analysis, Markov Chain Monte-Carlo sampling was conducted every 20,000^th generation until the standard deviation of split frequencies was <0.01. A burn-in period equal to 25% of the total generations was required to summarize the parameter values and trees. Parameter values were assessed based on 95% credibility levels to ensure that the analysis had run for a sufficient number of generations. A genetic distance matrix was constructed using the MEGA 6 program (Tamura et al. 2013) and was obtained according to the Kimura 2 parameter (K2p) model. For Bayesian analysis, 53 OecomysCOI sequences available in GenBank were included (Appendix 1). One specimen of Euryoryzomys macconnelli was used as an outgroup.

Results

Chromosome analysis

Oecomys auyantepui – Jatapú River

Two different diploid numbers were observed along the same bank of the Jatapú River: Karyomorph “a” exhibited 2n=64 chromosomes, a fundamental number = 110, and a karyotypic formula of 16m+6sm+26st+14a+XY (Fig. 2), in which pairs 1, 4, 15, 22, 26, 28, 30 and 31 were metacentric; 2, 3 and 19 were submetacentric; 5-13, 23, 24, 25 and 27 were subtelocentric; and 14, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 and 29 were acrocentric (Fig. 2a). Karyomorph “b” exhibited 2n=66 chromosomes, a fundamental number = 112 and a karyotypic formula of 12m+10sm+26st+16a+XY (Fig. 3), in which pairs 1, 4, 17, 21, 24 and 29 were metacentric; 2, 3, 15, 16 and 27 were submetacentric; 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 18, 19, 20, 23, 25, 26 and 28 were subtelocentric; and 10, 11, 13, 14, 22, 30, 31 and 32 were acrocentric (Fig. 3a). Chromosomes X and Y were submetacentric for 2n=64 (Fig. 2a), whereas for 2n=66, chromosome X was metacentric, and chromosome Y was submetacentric and half the size of chromosome X (Fig. 3a). The heterochromatin was predominantly centromeric for both 2n=64 and 2n=66 chromosomes, ranging between subtle and conspicuous (Figs 2b, 3b). The Y chromosome exhibited a heterochromatic long arm in both karyotypes, while the X chromosomes presented a centromeric block and bitelomeric labeling. G-banding patterns enabled the identification of homologous pairs for each karyomorph (Figures 2c, 3c) and homology detection among the largest pairs of the complement. Pairs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 from the 2n=66 chromosome karyomorph were homologous to pairs 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 from the 2n=64 chromosome karyomorph, respectively. Silver nitrate staining of the 2n=64 karyomorph resulted in labeling of three terminal sites, on one of the chromosomes of pair 10 and on both of the pair 14 homologs (Fig. 2d). The 2n=66 karyomorph also exhibited labeling of three terminal sites, two on pair 10 and one on one of the pair 14 chromosomes (Fig. 3d).

Figure 2.

Karyotypic characteristics of male Oecomys auyantepui, karyomorph “a” (INPA 6754) with 2n=64: a conventional Giemsa staining b heterochromatic regions highlighted by C-banding c G-banding d nucleolus organizing region-carrying pairs evidenced by silver nitrate staining e fluorescent in situ hybridization of 5S rDNA (green) and 18S rDNA (red) probes f karyotype indicating the presence of telomeric sites as well as interstitial telomeric sequence in the sex X chromosome. Bars: 10 µm.

Figure 3.

Karyotypic characteristics of male Oecomys auyantepui karyomorph “b”, with 2n=66: a conventional Giemsa staining (INPA 6751) b heterochromatic regions highlighted by C-banding (INPA 6751) c G-banding (INPA 6751) d nucleolus organizing region-carrying pairs revealed by silver nitrate staining (INPA 6751) e fluorescent in situ hybridization of 5S rDNA (green) and 18S rDNA (red) probes (INPA 6751) f karyotype indicating the presence of telomeric sites as well as an interstitial telomeric sequence on the X sex chromosome (INPA 6754). Bars: 10 µm.

18S rDNA loci were visualized on chromosome pairs 10 and 14 of both karyomorphs, while the single 5S rDNA loci was located on pair 5 of karyomorph “a” and pair 7 of karyomorph “b” (Figs 2e, 3e). Both karyomorphs presented interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) in the centromeric region of the X chromosome (Figs 2f and 3f).

Oecomys bicolor – Jatapú, Negro and Purus rivers

Oecomys bicolor was found to exhibit a diploid number 2n=80 chromosomes, a fundamental number = 142, and a karyotypic formula of 18m+10sm+36st+14a+XX or XY, wherein pairs 12, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 were metacentric; pairs 7, 20, 25, 26 and 27 were submetacentric; 1, 2, 5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30 were subtelocentric; and 3, 4, 8, 9, 18, 28 and 31 were acrocentric (Figs 4a, 4b), with no differences being observed among individuals from the three collection sites. Sex chromosome X is the largest submetacentric chromosome of the complement, while sex chromosome Y is an average subtelocentric chromosome (Fig. 4b). Heterochromatin can be found in conspicuous blocks in the centromere region of all chromosomes, and in the case of the majority of metacentric, submetacentric (Fig. 4c), and the sex X chromosome, it also extends into the short arm (Fig. 4d). G-banding patterns enabled the correct identification of homologous pairs (Fig. 4e). Silver nitrate staining showed multiple terminal type-NORs on both homologous chromosomes of pairs 18 and 26 and on one of the homologous chromosome of pairs 15, 21 and 22 (Fig. 4f). 18S rDNA loci were identified on both homologous chromosomes of pairs 2, 3, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26 and 30, whereas 5S rDNA locus was located only on pair 7 (Fig. 4g). No ITSs could be observed (Fig. 4h).

Figure 4.

Karyotypic characteristics of Oecomys bicolor: a conventional Giemsa staining of a male (INPA 6749) b highlighted sex chromosomes of a female (INPA 6749) c heterochromatic regions revealed by C-banding in a female (INPA 6772) d highlighted C-banding on a male’s sex chromosomes (INPA 6772) e G-banding of a female (INPA 6772) f nucleolus organizing region-carrying pairs revealed by silver nitrate staining (INPA 6749) g fluorescent in situ hybridization of 5S rDNA (green) and 18S rDNA (red) probes (INPA 6758) h karyotype indicating the presence of telomeric sites (INPA 6772). Bars: 10 µm.

Oecomys rutilus – Cuieiras, Jatapú and Negro rivers

Oecomys rutilus was characterized as showing a diploid number 2n=54 chromosomes and a fundamental number = 90, with a karyotypic formula 24m+6sm+8st+14a+XX or XY, in which pairs 3, 5, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22, 25 and 26 were metacentric; 7, 8 and 20 were submetacentric; 1, 2, 4 and 6 were subtelocentric; and 9, 10, 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24 were acrocentric (Figs 5a, 5b), with no differences being detected between the specimens collected at three different sites. The X chromosome was large and submetacentric, while the Y chromosome was subtelocentric and approximately 3/4 of the size of chromosome X (Fig. 5b). Heterochromatic regions were characterized by subtle or conspicuous centromeric labeling on some chromosome pairs (Fig. 5c). G-banding patterns enabled correct homologous pairing (Fig. 5d). Multiple NORs were revealed by silver nitrate staining in the terminal regions of both homologous chromosomes of pairs 4 and 23 (Fig. 5e), coinciding with 18S rDNA loci (Fig. 5f), which were also observed on both homologous chromosomes of pair 1, in a proximal position on the long arms (Fig. 5f). No ITSs were observed (Fig. 5g).

Figure 5.

Karyotypic characteristics of Oecomys bicolor: a conventional Giemsa staining of a male (INPA 6761) b highlighted sex chromosomes of a male (INPA 6768) c heterochromatic regions revealed by C-banding of a male individual (INPA 6754) d G-banding of a female (INPA 6761) e nucleolus organizing region-carrying pairs revealed by silver nitrate staining (INPA 6762) f fluorescent in situ hybridization of 5S rDNA (green) and 18S rDNA (red) probes (INPA 6761) g karyotype indicating the presence of telomeric sites (INPA 6761). Bars: 10 µm.

Mitochondrial DNA identification

A total of 86 Oecomys mitochondrial COI gene sequences were compared: 33 originating from the present work and 53 deposited in GenBank (Appendix 1). NJ, Bayesian and ML tree retrieved the same topology and showed differences mainly in relation to branch support values. The similarity index was greater than 98%, which allowed molecular identification of the species. The phylogenetic trees (Figure 6) grouped O. rutilus into two clades, one comprising individuals from Brazil, Suriname and Guyana (I), while the other consisted of one individual from Ecuador (J). The genetic distance between clades I and J was 7.33%, whereas the genetic distance within clade I was 1.62%. The individuals of O. auyantepui were grouped into a single clade (H), comprising individuals from Brazil, Guyana and Suriname, with an intraspecific genetic distance of 1.41%. One individual from Ecuador, whose species was not defined in GenBank, belonged to a distinct lineage (clade E). Two other specimens without species level-definition were grouped with Oecomys concolor (branch F), with a genetic distance of 0.79%. One other individual (clade G), also identified as O. concolor in GenBank, exhibited a distinct lineage, showing a large genetic distance (12.88%) from branch F. All O. roberti specimens were grouped together (clade D), with a genetic distance of 0.39%. Oecomys bicolor formed three clades (A, B and C) with large genetic distances: individuals from the Guyanas and Suriname were grouped together with high support, forming a moderately supported clade (C) with an individual from the Central Amazon (INPA 6775). Oecomys bicolor and Oecomys sp. from Ecuador and the Negro river (INPA 6770) formed a group with moderate-to-high support (clade B). One individual from the Purus River (clade C) showed a highly supported association with clade B, with a genetic distance of 7.12%. The genetic distance between clades A and B was 8.4%, and that between A and C was 9.89%. Oecomys rex also formed two clades (K and L), with a large genetic distance between them (11.92%).

Figure 6.

Bayesian tree of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. The probabilistic support is presented above the branches. Letters (A–L) represent the groups formed based on the analysis of the genetic distances between them. Sequences in bold were analyzed in the present work.

Discussion

The identification of Rodentia species is often difficult using morphological criteria alone (Granjon et al. 2002, Lecompte et al. 2005, Ben Faleh et al. 2010). Such difficulties are evident in this order mainly because of the existence of cryptic species (Granjon et al. 2002, Musser and Carleton 2005, Lecompte et al. 2005) and new species are continually described (Helgen 2005, Musser et al. 2005). Species identification via molecular methods, such as molecular barcoding using a short genetic marker (Hebert et al. 2003), has been proposed to overcome some of the weaknesses of the traditional approach, which will aid non-taxonomists by fulfilling the urgent requirement for rapid and accurate species identification tools (Teletchea 2010). This approach is potentially useful in the study of rodents (Borisenko et al. 2008, Tamrin and Abdullah 2011, Barbosa 2013). In the present work, employing COI sequences as a tool for species identification was shown to be satisfactory, as the obtained distance patterns provided sufficient information for the identification of specimens whose taxonomic identification at the species level is not straightforward. Most of the species were recovered as monophyletic groups.

The available chromosomal data for Oecomys species consist mostly of descriptions of diploid and fundamental numbers, which restricts comparisons with the data obtained in the present work (Table 1). However, high karyotypic diversity can be observed, with countless chromosomal rearrangements between Oecomys species being responsible for this diversity. Neither of the two O. auyantepui karyomorphs reported in this work had been previously described in the literature. Both individuals (INPA 6751, INPA 6754) showing these two karyomorphs were captured on the same bank (right) of the Jatapú river, approximately 1 km from each other. The karyomorphs only exhibited one ITS, located on X chromosome. ITSs have been observed in other rodents as well (Castiglia et al. 2007, Rovatsos et al. 2011, Suárez-Villota et al. 2013). Short telomeric sequences (TTAGGG)_n have been primarily classified as components of satellite DNA (Adegoke et al. 1993). These sequences may be located in subtelomeric and interstitial chromosome positions (Garrido-Ramos et al. 1998) and are subjected to amplification (Arnason et al. 1998, Castiglia et al. 2006). They may also appear during the double-stranded DNA nick repair process (Nergadze et al. 2004, 2007). However, the most commonly accepted scenario is that ITSs signal recent chromosomal rearrangements, such as the transposition of functional telomeric sequences to an interstitial position (Dobigny et al. 2003, Zhdanova et al. 2005), or chromosome fusion events, with the latter being the main source of ITSs in many organisms (Lee et al. 1993, Slijepcevic 1998). Nevertheless, it was not possible to determine the occurrence of either an increase in the diploid number from 2n=64 as a result of a fission event or a decrease from 2n=66 due to a fusion event.

Establishing the evolutionary direction of chromosomal rearrangements is not always possible because most of the available painting data for the Sigmodontinae group are incomplete, and it is not possible to draw definitive conclusions regarding the composition of a putative Sigmodontinae ancestral karyotype (Romanenko et al. 2012). The same is true for Oecomys, where it cannot be determined whether the diploid number has increased or decreased because the in situ hybridization method used in this study likely does not detect very short (< 1 kb) stretches of (TTAGGG)n sequences. Thus, even if chromosome fusions that would result in a decrease in diploid number have occurred, the fused chromosomes will not always possess an ITS, which may have been lost prior to the fusion or been subjected to molecular erosion (Mandrioli et al. 1999).

Both Oecomys auyantepui karyomorphs exhibit similar, predominantly centromeric, subtle heterochromatic blocks. Their NORs are also similar, with three different labeled sites being observed on the same chromosome pairs. The largest chromosomes of both karyomorphs are homologous - those carrying 5S rDNA loci in particular - sharing the same chromosomal region (subtelocentric chromosomes), position (long arm, proximal) and number of labeled sites, as inferred based on the increased resolution provided by G-banding. Thus, much like the NOR-carrying pairs, these chromosomes were not involved in chromosomal alteration processes leading to the occurrence of two different diploid numbers in O. auyantepui. Mitochondrial DNA analysis grouped all O. auyantepui specimens onto a single branch (Fig. 6) with a high support value and low intraspecific genetic distance (1.41%), indicating that the occurrence of these two karyomorphs may be due to chromosomal polymorphism and not to the existence of two differentiated evolutionary units, as the intraspecific genetic distance is consistent with available data for other Sigmodontinae and the family Cricetidae in general (Smith and Patton 1993, Patton 1999,Ventura 2009).

Current phylogenetic and karyotypic data suggest the existence of a complex of O. bicolor species (Smith and Patton 1999, Flores 2010, Andrade and Bonvincino 2003). Four different diploid numbers have previously been characterized in the Brazilian Amazon, varying from 54 to 86 chromosomes, with 2n=80 being the most common (Gardner and Patton 1976, Patton et al. 2000, Andrades-Miranda et al. 2000, Andrades-Miranda et al. 2001, Lira 2012). Comparison of the karyotypic patterns of O. bicolor captured along the Jatapú and Purus rivers revealed a similar chromosomal organizational pattern for individuals with 2n=80 chromosomes. However, the karyotypic pattern of individuals collected on the banks of the Jari river diverges, with a diploid number 2n=82 and FN=116 (Lira 2012). The NORs described in the present work (7 labeled sites) occurred in larger numbers than what had been previously described for the species (1 to 4 labeled sited) (Andrades-Miranda 2001, Lira 2012). These NORs do not refer to the labeling of acidic heterochromatic regions, as fluorescent in situ hybridization using 18S rDNA probes revealed the existence of twelve chromosome pairs carrying these sequences. A larger number of sites compared with the number identified through silver nitrate staining, which is a common occurrence and is observed in other groups (Lira 2012). This disparity stems from the fact that the latter technique labels proteins associated with the nucleolar structure and not ribosomal DNA regions, thus identifying only NORs that had been active in the preceding interphase (Miller et al. 1976). Thus, the difference in silver-stained sites between different populations may stem from the activity of ribosomal RNA genes. Because rDNA sequence hybridization had not been performed in individuals from the analyzed populations in previous studies, this hypothesis cannot be verified. In contrast, the heterochromatin distribution pattern is similar, with centromeric blocks extending to the short arms of the majority of metacentric and submetacentric chromosomes and both sex chromosomes.

The diploid number determined for O. rutilus (2n=54, first described in Lira (2012) did not vary, regardless of the collection site, and no variations in karyotypic structure were observed in the present work. However, the three specimens described previously (Lira, 2012) exhibited differences in their autosomal fundamental number (82, 84 and 86). Such variation may be related to karyotype interpretation, given that it depends on the quality of chromosome preparations, DNA compaction patterns, size and number of chromosomes and errors in the measurement of chromosomal arms. The C-banding pattern observed in O. rutilus consisted of very subtle labeling on the majority of chromosomes but was consistent with the expected locations previously described for other Oecomys species and the tribe Oryzomyini (Yonenaga-Yassuda et al. 1987, Svartman and Almeida 1992, Silva and Yonenaga-Yassuda 1998, Aniskin and Volobouev 1999, Volobouev and Aniskin 2000, Andrades-Miranda et al. 2002, Bonvicino et al. 2005, Lira 2012).

Based on the amplitude of the genus distribution, Langguth et al. (2005) suggested O. catherinae (2n=60) as the ancestral taxon; the same finding was reported by Weksler (2006), based on phylogenetic analysis of the IRBP gene and morphological data for O. bicolor, O. catherinae, O. concolor, O. mamorae and O. trinitatis. Although the current phylogenetic analysis based on COI sequences was limited to a single marker and did not consider several of the taxa analyzed by Flores (2010), it showed similar results with high support values, such as monophyly of the genus Oecomys, which was also observed in molecular studies using other markers (Smith and Patton 1999, Weksler 2006). However, considering O. rex as a sister group of O. catherinae, which would classify both species as ancestral taxa (Flores 2010), the basal diploid number would be approximately 60/62 chromosomes. Therefore, it must be noted that molecular analyses did not detect an increasing or decreasing tendency in the diploid number between the branches, suggesting a complex karyotypic structure, as shown by the different diploid numbers obtained for the same morphological species. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis placed all individuals in a single group.

In the present work, NORs were found to be preferentially located in the terminal regions of chromosomes, and their number increased with the diploid number; this pattern is also present in other members of the family Cricetidae (Lira 2012, Romanova et al. 2006, Ventura 2009, Fagundes et al. 1997). These data agree with FISH results obtained using the 18S ribosomal DNA probe, confirming the presence of two labeled pairs for O. auyantepui and O. rutilus. Labeling of four NORs was observed in Oecomys rutilus, whereas three were detected in O. auyantepui. Lira (2012) described four labeled sites in O. rex, again suggesting that it may constitute a basal taxon. In Oecomys bicolor, five chromosome pairs exhibited labeling, though not all displayed labeling on both homologous chromosomes. The multiple 18S rDNA sites observed in O. bicolor likely derive from duplication and dispersion. Di Meo et al. (1993) reported that the difference in the NOR distribution in correlated species is ascribed to rearrangements that have accumulated since the divergence of the common ancestor, mainly via inversions and Robertsonian translocations. Grozdanov et al. (2003) and Britton-Davidian et al. (2012) stated that NOR diversity among rodents is an indicator of high intrachromosomal transposition rates in the absence of visible rearrangements, suggesting, once again, that this character represents a derived state for this taxon. Despite this fact, the interstitial position of 5S rDNA is related to sequence protection, thereby avoiding possible crossing-over or transposition events, which are more frequent in terminal regions (Martins and Galetti Jr 1999). This scenario is made evident by comparing the degree of conservation in the position and location of this sequence compared with 45S rRNA. Ventura et al. (2012) described a similar situation in Akodontini, which shows conservation of 5S rDNA chromosomal sites, despite large chromosomal variability within the group.

Oecomys species have undergone intense chromosomal alteration processes, as confirmed by the observed karyotypic patterns, indicating high local diversity and an ample distribution for the taxa under study. However, the limited taxonomic sample available, in terms of both Oecomys individuals and molecular data renders the determination of which evolutionary processes have led to the variability in karyotype morphology more difficult. Furthermore, the current data reinforce the necessity for integrative taxonomy, where genetic tools should be used in conjunction with morphological analysis to delimit Oecomys taxa.

Conclusions

The intra- and interspecific variations observed in the diploid number of Oecomys species indicate that chromosomal rearrangements such as fusions/fissions, translocations and duplications have led to the appearance of different diploid numbers and karyotypic formulas. However, telomere sequence hybridization was not found to be a good indicator of autosomal chromosome rearrangements in the Oecomys species under study, as no autosomal ITSs could be observed. O. bicolor, which is considered to be a derived taxon of the genus (Flores 2010), exhibits the highest diploid number, possibly arising from chromosomal fission events that occurred during its evolutionary history.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation [Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade] for granting the license (10832-1 /35513-1), the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Amazonas [Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal do Amazonas] for approving the field work (042/2013-CEEA/UFAM), and the SISBIOTA Amazônia team for performing the collections. Financial support was provided by the National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq; 573976/2008-2, 558318/2009-6, 563348/2010-0), the Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education [Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – CAPES; Pro-Amazon Program: Biodiversity and Sustainability (Programa Pró-Amazônia: Biodiversidade E Sustentabilidade) Call no. 047 / 2012], and FAPEAM Edital P N. 020/2013. This study was supported by a graduate fellowship from CAPES to TLM and Research Productivity grants from CNPq to Eliana Feldberg.

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Appendix 1

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COI sequences of Oecomys deposited in GenBank. The voucher, species and collection sites are listed.

Species	Genbank n°	Collection sites
O. auyantepui	JQ601277.1	Suriname – Sipaliwini river
	JQ601224.1	Suriname – Sipaliwini river
	JQ601188.1	Suriname – Kutari River
	JQ601163.1	Suriname – Kutari River
	JQ601162.1	Suriname – Kutari River
	JQ601061.1	Suriname: Brownsberg Nature Park
	JQ601060.1	Suriname: Brownsberg Nature Park
	JQ601049.1	Suriname: Brownsberg Nature Park
	HQ545642.1	Suriname: Sipaliwini River
	HQ545608.1	Suriname
	HQ545608.1	Suriname
	JF491641.1	Guiana: Upper Demerara-Berbice, West Pibiri, Mabura
	JF491640.1	Guiana: Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
	JF491639.1	Guiana: Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
	JF491638.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF491637.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF491635.1	Guiana: Cuyuni-Mazaruni
	JF491634.1	Guiana: Cuyuni-Mazaruni
O. bicolor	JQ601078.1	Equador: Parque Nacional Yasuni
	JF491655.1	Equador: Napo, Parque Nacional Yasuni
	JF491652.1	Equador: Orellana, Onkone Gare
	JF491649.1	Guiana: Demerara-Mahaic
	JF491648.1	Guiana: Barima-Waini
	JF491647.1	Guiana: Barima-Waini
	JF491644.1	Guiana: Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
	JF491643.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF491642.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF444363.1	Equador: Orellana
	EU096822.1	Suriname: Sipaliwini
	EU096821.1	Suriname: Sipaliwini
O. concolor	JF491662.1	Equador: Napo, Parque Nacional Yasuni
	JF491661.1	Equador: Orellana, Onkone Gare
	JF444368.1	Equador: Orellana
O. rex	JF491660.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF491659.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JQ601068.1	Guiana: 40 Km NE of Surama
	HQ919650.1	Suriname
O. roberti	JF491663.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
O. rutilus	JQ601181.1	Suriname: Kutari River Camp
	JF491682.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF491681.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni
	JF491673.1	Guiana: Potaro-Siparuni Kabukalli Landing, Iwokrama Forest
	JF491671.1	Guiana: Siparuni river
	JF491670.1	Guiana: Barima-Waini, Baramita, Old World
	JF491667.1	Guiana: Barima-Waini, Baramita, Old World
	JF491665.1	Guiana: Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
	EU095454.1	Guiana: Upper Demerara-Berbice
	EU095453.1	Equador: Napo
Oecomys sp.	JF491619.1	Equador: Napo, Parque Nacional Yasuni