Characterization of homologies between bovine (Bos taurus) BAC probes and gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) chromosomes: new perspectives in intra and interspecific studies of the Mazama genus

Abstract

Although the species of the Mazama genus differ in the values of their diploid number, they are closely related and similar morphologically. Due to this, there were errors in the taxonomic classifications and new species were discovered. The chromosomal evolution of the Mazama species from the ancestral hypothetical karyotype, retained by the species Mazama gouazoubira, is poorly understood and lacks molecular cytogenetic analysis. In addition, studies have shown that centromeric nonspecific markings in the heterochromatin region complicate the characterization of chromosomal markers from M. gouazoubira probes produced by microdissection. The present study aims to characterize the homologies between bovine BACs probes and the chromosomes of the M. gouazoubira species. Due to the rapid evolution and degeneration of repetitive DNA sequences, we will work with cross-species chromosome painting using probes produced from other species. It is an alternative to solve the problem of nonspecific markings. Moreover, the interspecific homologies will be characterized, and an idiogram will be constructed. It is expected that this study contributes as a baseline for subsequent analysis. It will enable the review of the Mazama species taxonomy and the elucidation of the evolutionary processes that involved the group. (AU)