Among four specimens of Astyanax scabripinnis sympatrically collected from
the Tamandua stream (State of Sao Paulo, Brazil), three, named cytotype I,
had 2n = 50 chromosomes (6M + 26SM + 4ST + 14A) and a fundamental number (F
N) of 86, and one specimen, named cytotype II, had 2n = 48 chromosomes (6M
+ 28SM + 4ST + 10A) and FN = 86. Besides the difference in diploid number,
the cytotypes showed a clear difference in the distribution of constitutive
heterochromatin. One NOR-bearing chromosome pair was detected in both cyto
types and one specimen of cytotype I had multiple NORs (tree chromosome pai
rs). Robertsonian translocations and an increase or loss of heterochromatin
are proposed to explain the karyotypic divergence observed. Some aspects r
elated to the chromosome evolution of Astyanax scabripinnis are discussed.