A cytogenetic approach to the study of taxonomy and evolution in sturgeons.

The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge in the field of sturgeon cytogenetics. The most distinctive features of the sturgeon karyotype are the high chromosome numbers and the consistent presence of microchromosomes. Recent data, mainly provided by molecular cytogenetic studies, allow a reconsideration of sturgeon karyotype organization and shed light on polyploidization events that occurred during the evolution of Acipenseriformes