Centromeric enrichment of LINE-1 retrotransposon in two species of South American monkeys Alouatta belzebul and Ateles nancymaae (Platyrrhini, Primates)

LINE-1 sequences have been linked to genome evolution, plasticity and speciation; however, despite their importance, chromosomal distribution is poorly known in primates. In this perspective, we used fluorescence situ hybridization (FISH) map probes onto two representative platyrrhine species, Aotus nancymaae (Cebidae) Alouatta belzebul (Atelidae), both characterized with highly rearranged karyotypes, order investigate role better characterize the genomes. We found centromeric enrichment of on all biarmed acrocentric chromosomes co-localized heterochromatin C-positive bands. This led us hypothesize that LINE 1 may a centromere architecture karyotype organization