KARYOTYPES OF 3 SMALL BARBUS SPECIES (CYPRINIDAE) FROM REPUBLIC-OF-GUINEA (WESTERN AFRICA) WITH A REVIEW ON KARYOLOGY OF AFRICAN SMALL BARBUS

Karyotypes of three barbels belonging to the group of ''small'' Africa n species of Barbus sensu late, B. bigornei, B. ablabes and B. macrops from the Republic of Guinea (Western Africa), were investigated. Dipl oid chromosome (2n) and chromosome arm (NF) numbers were for B. bigorn ei 2n = 48 and NF = 96, for B. ablabes 2n = 50 and NF = 98, and for B. macrops 2n = 50 and NF = 92, respectively. The first pair of metacent ric chromosomes in all karyotypes was remarkably larger, and it can be considered as a ''marker'' element for these 3 species. The karyotype characteristics of Barbus species under study demonstrate that they b elong to the diploid group of African barbels and they are, in fact, n ot related to the genus Barbus sensu stricto which is of a distinct ev olutionary polyploid origin. Karyology of this poorly studied African cyprinid group is reviewed and discussed.