Localization of 5S rRNA Loci in Three Coregonid Species (Salmonidae)

In the present study the chromosome distribution of the 5S rDNA loci and its relation to the major rDNA genes were investigated in three Coregonid species (Salmonidae): Coregonus lavaretus, Coregonus peled and Coregonus albula, a family which has experienced large karyotype rearrangements along its evolution starting from a tetraploid ancestor. 5S PRINS/CMA₃ sequential staining together with previous data enabled us to locate 5S rRNA genes and nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in the three species analyzed. PRINS revealed the 5S rDNA cluster at the distal part of the long arm of a similar submetacentric chromosome pair in the three species. Our data indicate that 5S rDNA clusters have probably conserved chromosomal location in the genus Coregonus, whereas 45S rDNA (NOR) sites are clearly differentiated, from a single locus in C. peled, to multiple loci in C. lavaretus and highly polymorphic multichromosomal location in C. albula.