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Genetics, Vol. 158, 1203-1215, July 2001, Copyright © 2001

Genome Duplication Events and Functional Reduction of Ploidy Levels in Sturgeon (Acipenser, Huso and Scaphirhynchus)

Arne Ludwiga, Natalia M. Belfioreb, Christian Pitrac, Victor Svirskyd, and Ingo Jenneckense
a Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12561 Berlin, Germany,
b Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616,
c Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, 10252 Berlin, Germany,
d Pacific Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, Vladivostock 690600, Russia
e Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany

Corresponding author: Arne Ludwig, Institut für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei, Müggelseedamm 310, 12561 Berlin, Germany., al{at}igb-berlin.de (E-mail)

Communicating editor: D. J. GRUNWALD

Sturgeon (order Acipenserformes) provide an ideal taxonomic context for examination of genome duplication events. Multiple levels of ploidy exist among these fish. In a novel microsatellite approach, data from 962 fish from 20 sturgeon species were used for analysis of ploidy in sturgeon. Allele numbers in a sample of individuals were assessed at six microsatellite loci. Species with ~120 chromosomes are classified as functional diploid species, species with ~250 chromosomes as functional tetraploid species, and with ~500 chromosomes as functional octaploids. A molecular phylogeny of the sturgeon was determined on the basis of sequences of the entire mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. By mapping the estimated levels of ploidy on this proposed phylogeny we demonstrate that (I) polyploidization events independently occurred in the acipenseriform radiation; (II) the process of functional genome reduction is nearly finished in species with ~120 chromosomes and more active in species with ~250 chromosomes and ~500 chromosomes; and (III) species with ~250 and ~500 chromosomes arose more recently than those with ~120 chromosomes. These results suggest that gene silencing, chromosomal rearrangements, and transposition events played an important role in the acipenseriform genome formation. Furthermore, this phylogeny is broadly consistent with previous hypotheses but reveals a highly supported oceanic (Atlantic-Pacific) subdivision within the Acipenser/Huso complex.




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