Revealing the satellite DNA content in Ancistrus sp. (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) by genomic and bioinformatic analysis.

Introduction Eukaryotic genomes consist of both single and repetitive sequences, including Satellite DNAs (satDNA), which are non-coding sequences arranged in tandem arrays. These sequences play a crucial role in genomic functions and innovations, influencing processes such as nuclear material maintenance, heterochromatin formation, and sex chromosome differentiation. In this genomic era, advancements in next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic tools have facilitated the comprehensive cataloging of repetitive elements in genomes, particularly in non-model species. This study focuses on the satellitome of Ancistrus sp., a diverse fish species within the Loricariidae family. The genus Ancistrus displays significant karyotypic evolution, with deviations from the ancestral diploid number. Methods Using bioinformatic approaches, we identified 40 satellite DNA families in Ancistrus sp., constituting 5.19% of the genome. The abundance and divergence landscape analysis revealed diverse profiles, indicating recent amplification and homogenization of these satDNA sequences. Results The most abundant satellite, AnSat1-142, constitutes 2.1% of the genome, while the least abundant, AnSat40-52, represents 0.0034%. The monomer repeat length ranges from 16 to 142 base pairs, with an average length of 61 bp. These findings contribute to understanding the genomic dynamics and evolution of satDNAs in Ancistrus sp. Conclusion The study underscores the variability in satDNAs among fish species and provides valuable insights into the chromosomal organization and evolution of repetitive elements in non-model organisms.