Localization of the (TTAGGG)(n) telomeric repeat in the chromosomes of thepufferfish Tetraodon fluviatilis (Hamilton Buchanan) (Osteichthyes)

In order to characterise the telomeric repeats of the pufferfish Tetraodon fluviatilis, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out on me taphase chromosomes using a PCR generated probe (TTAGGG)(n). Distinct signa ls have been observed on the telomeres of all the chromosomes and hybridiza tion signals appears of uniform size and intensity. Moreover FISH experimen t does not evidence any interstitial non-telomeric signal. As non-telomeric FISH signal has been used as a marker for karyotype evolution and for dete rmining the evolutionary status of fish species, it could be supposed that the absence of non telomeric signals makes T. fluviatilis (Tetraodontiforme s) an evolutionary ancient species in respect to Perciformes.