ANÁLISE CITOGENÉTICA DE CINCO ESPÉCIES DO GÊNERO Boana (anura: hylidae) E DUAS ESPÉCIES DO GÊNERO Rhinella (anura: bufonidae)

Abstract

Brazil hosts the greatest diversity of amphibians in the world, with the order Anura, which includes toads, frogs, and tree frogs, standing out. Despite this richness, the genetic aspect of these animals has been poorly explored, especially in relation to karyotypic characterization. Cytogenetics has been an important tool for complementing data that aids in the identification and taxonomic classification of anurans, enabling the detection of chromosomal variations and understanding the evolution of the group. However, challenges remain, especially concerning species that have not yet been karyotyped. In this context, a scientometric study about the cytogenetics of anurans in Brazil was carried out, using the platforms "Web of Science," "Scielo," and "Scopus," with keywords related to karyotypes and chromosomes. There were found 163 articles about 470 specimens, revealing regional disparities in the research, with the Atlantic Forest being the most sampled biome, while biomes such as the Pantanal, Caatinga, and Pampa show significant gaps. Furthermore, based on the results obtained from the scientometric approach, species with potential for karyotypic characterization studies were identified. Therefore, seven species were analyzed and karyotyped, five of which belong to the genus Boana (B. albopunctata, B. crepitans, B. multifasciata, B. paranaiba, B. raniceps), and two to the genus Rhinella (R. diptycha and R. mirandaribeiroi). The karyotypes of Boana paranaiba and Rhinella mirandaribeiroi were described for the first time in this study, both showing 2n = 2x = 22 chromosomes, like the other species analyzed, except for B. crepitans and B. raniceps, which had a chromosomal number of 2n = 2x = 24. It was also identified the presence of B chromosomes in Boana albopunctata. Therefore, continuing cytogenetic studies, especially in underexplored biomes, is crucial to fill knowledge gaps, address taxonomic issues, and support conservation strategies. Given the growing environmental threats, advancements in this area are essential to prevent the loss of species before they are even cytogenetically described.