Cytogenetics of bisexual/unisexual species of Poecilia. III. The karyotype of Poecilia formosa, a gynogenetic species of hybrid origin.

Chromosomes of the Amazon molly, Poecilia formosa, a unisexual species of hybrid origin, were investigated by C-banding, silver staining, and fluorescent staining with DAPI, quinacrine dihydrochloride, and chromomycin A3. Analysis of heterochromatin distribution indicates that chromosomes similar to the W chromosome of P. latipinna are not present in the unisexual species. Therefore, morphologically differentiated sex chromosomes do not form the basis of the unisexuality in P. formosa. The number and location of nucleolar organizer regions vary in P. formosa and do not correlate well with those of the parental species.