Cytogenetic and morphometric differences in populations of Astyanax "scabripinnis" (Pisces, Characidae) from Maringa region, PR, Brazil

A cytogenetic and morphometric study of four populations of characid fish assigned to the "complex" of Astyanax scabripinnis originating from three riverine basins, namely Ivai (populations A and B), Paranapanema (C) and Parana (D), was carried out. Karyological analysis showed the diploid chromosome number 2n = 48 for population B and 2n = 50 for the remaining populations. All populations under study differed in the composition of karyotypes and C-banding patterns. Canonical variable analysis used to assess the morphometric data revealed that 1) the four populations under study were entirely discriminated from each other and 2) the coefficients that most contributed to this pattern were standard length, rostrodorsal distance, eye diameter and snout length. The results indicate that the differences in karyotypes were paralleled by the morphological differentiation of the populations under study and contributed to the problem of systematics of A, scabripinnis "complex".