Karyology of 12 Species of North American Cyprinidae (Minnows) from the Southern United States

Abstract

Karyotypes of 12 species of North American cyprinid fish from the southern United States are documented. All 12 have a diploid chromosome number of 50; the estimated arm numbers of the species range from 88 to 96. Sex chromosomes were not detected in those taxa where specimens of both sexes were assayed. All available karyotypic data on the North American cyprinids indicate considerable conservatism in standard karyotypes within the group. The true extent of karyotypic variation among North American minnow species, however, will be known only after serially banded karyotypes are rigorously examined.