Chromosome Complements of the Mediterranean Mullets (Pisces Perciformes)

Abstract

SUMMARYThe karyotypes of six species of Mediterranean mullets have been studied: Mugil cephalus, Liza aurata, Liza saliens, Liza ramada, Chelon labrosus and Oedalechilus labeo. The diploid number in all these species is 2n=48. On the basis of the morphology of the karyotype, 3 cytotaxonomic groups are proposed: a) Mugil cephalus, all the chromosomes of which are acrocentric; b) Liza and Chelon with one pair of subtelocentrics; c) Oedalechilus with one pair of telocentrics with a very small arm. The karyologic finding is discussed with regard to the position of the Mugilidae in systematic studies.