Scientific Reports,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
13(1)
Published: July 25, 2023
Abstract
Astyanax
mexicanus
is
a
well-known
model
species,
that
has
two
morphotypes,
cavefish,
from
subterranean
rivers
and
surface
fish,
rivers.
They
are
morphologically
distinct
due
to
many
troglomorphic
traits
in
the
such
as
absence
of
eyes.
Most
studies
on
A
.
focused
eye
development
protein-coding
genes
involved
process.
However,
lncRNAs
did
not
get
same
attention
very
little
known
about
them.
This
study
aimed
fill
this
knowledge
gap,
identifying,
describing,
classifying,
annotating
expressed
embryo’s
tissue
cavefish
fish.
To
do
so,
we
constructed
concise
workflow
assemble
evaluate
transcriptomes,
annotate
genes,
ncRNAs
families,
predict
coding
potential,
identify
putative
lncRNAs,
map
them
interactions.
approach
resulted
identification
33,069
19,493
respectively
mapped
Thousands
these
were
annotated
identified
conserved
human
several
species
Hundreds
validated
silico,
through
ESTs.
We
associated
with
related
development.
case
few
sox2
,
which
suggest
being
isomorphs
SOX2-OT
lncRNA
can
regulate
expression
work
one
first
focus
description
highlighting
targets
opening
an
important
precedent
for
future
focusing
Molecular Ecology Resources,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
24(1)
Published: Oct. 21, 2023
Abstract
Transition
to
novel
environments,
such
as
groundwater
colonization
by
surface
organisms,
provides
an
excellent
research
ground
study
phenotypic
evolution.
However,
interspecific
comparative
studies
on
evolution
life
are
few
because
of
the
challenge
in
assembling
large
ecological
and
molecular
resources
for
species‐rich
taxa
comprised
subterranean
species.
Here,
we
make
available
scientific
community
operational
set
working
tools
Asellidae,
a
family
freshwater
isopods
containing
hundreds
First,
release
World
Asellidae
database
(WAD)
its
web
application,
sustainable
FAIR
solution
producing
sharing
data
biological
material.
WAD
access
thousands
species
occurrences,
specimens,
DNA
extracts
sequences
with
rich
metadata
ensuring
full
traceability.
Second,
perform
large‐scale
dated
phylogenetic
reconstruction
support
analyses.
Of
424
terminal
branches,
identify
34
pairs
representing
independent
replicates
transition
from
water
groundwater.
Third,
exemplify
usefulness
documenting
shifts
associated
habitats.
We
provide
first
phylogenetically
controlled
evidence
that
body
size
males
decreases
relative
females
upon
colonization,
suggesting
competition
rare
receptive
selects
smaller,
more
agile
By
making
these
widely
accessible,
open
up
new
opportunities
exploring
how
traits
evolve
response
changes
selective
pressures
trade‐offs
during
colonization.
Journal of Experimental Biology,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
223(Suppl_1)
Published: Feb. 1, 2020
ABSTRACT
One
promising
application
of
CRISPR/Cas9
is
to
create
targeted
mutations
introduce
traits
interest
into
domesticated
organisms.
However,
a
major
current
limitation
for
crop
and
livestock
improvement
identify
the
precise
genes
genetic
changes
that
must
be
engineered
obtain
interest.
Here,
we
discuss
advantages
bio-inspired
genome
editing,
i.e.
introduction
natural
have
already
been
associated
with
in
other
lineages
(breeds,
populations
or
species).
To
landscape
view
potential
targets
used
Gephebase
(www.gephebase.org),
manually
curated
database
compiling
published
data
about
responsible
evolutionary
across
eukaryotes,
examined
>1200
identified
coding
regions
more
than
700
animals,
plants
yeasts.
We
observe
our
knowledge
relatively
important
certain
traits,
such
as
xenobiotic
resistance,
poor
others.
also
note
protein-null
alleles,
often
owing
nonsense
frameshift
mutations,
represent
large
fraction
known
loci
domestication
(42%
mutations),
compared
intraspecific
(27%)
interspecific
evolution
(11%).
Although
this
trend
may
subject
detection,
publication
curation
biases,
it
consistent
idea
breeders
selected
large-effect
underlying
adaptive
specific
settings,
but
these
phenotypes
would
not
survive
vagaries
changing
external
internal
environments.
Our
compilation
uncovers
interesting
options
transgene-free
editing.
Diversity,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
12(10), P. 395 - 395
Published: Oct. 13, 2020
Animals
in
many
phyla
are
adapted
to
and
thrive
the
constant
darkness
of
subterranean
environments.
To
do
so,
cave
animals
have
presumably
evolved
mechano-
chemosensory
compensations
loss
vision,
as
is
case
for
blind
characiform
cavefish,
Astyanax
mexicanus.
Here,
we
systematically
assessed
olfactory
capacities
cavefish
surface
fish
this
species
lab
well
wild,
five
different
caves
northeastern
Mexico,
using
an
setup
specially
developed
test
record
responses
during
fieldwork.
Overall
showed
lower
(i.e.,
better)
detection
thresholds
than
fish.
However,
wild
adult
from
Pachón,
Sabinos,
Tinaja,
Chica
Subterráneo
highly
variable
three
odorant
molecules
they
were
exposed
to.
Pachón
highest
capacities,
no
response
odors
presented.
We
discuss
these
data
with
regard
environmental
conditions
which
populations
live.
Our
experiments
natural
settings
document
diversity
environments
inhabited
by
a
single
A.
mexicanus,
highlight
complexity
plastic
genetic
mechanisms
that
underlie
adaptation.
Evolution & Development,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
24(5), P. 131 - 144
Published: Aug. 4, 2022
Evolution
in
response
to
a
change
ecology
often
coincides
with
various
morphological,
physiological,
and
behavioral
traits.
For
most
organisms
little
is
known
about
the
genetic
functional
relationship
between
evolutionarily
derived
traits,
representing
critical
gap
our
understanding
of
adaptation.
The
Mexican
tetra,
Astyanax
mexicanus,
consists
largely
independent
populations
fish
that
inhabit
at
least
30
caves
Northeast
Mexico,
surface
population,
rivers
Mexico
Southern
Texas.
recent
application
molecular
approaches
combined
phenotyping
have
established
A.
mexicanus
as
model
for
studying
evolution
complex
Cave
are
interfertile
evolved
numerous
traits
including
eye
degeneration,
insomnia,
albinism,
enhanced
mechanosensory
function.
interfertility
different
from
same
species
provides
unique
opportunity
define
assess
co-evolution
morphological
one
another.
To
relationships
we
developed
pipeline
test
individual
multiple
This
confirmed
differences
locomotor
activity,
prey
capture,
startle
reflex
cavefish
populations.
measure
F2
hybrid
were
characterized
behavior,
prey-capture
reflex,
attributes.
Analysis
revealed
an
association
body
length
slower
escape
suggesting
trade-off
increased
size
predator
avoidance
cavefish.
Overall,
there
few
associations
or
changes
underlie
measured
Taken
together,
this
approach
novel
system
identify
underpinnings
naturally
occurring
variation
动物学研究,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
44(4), P. 782 - 792
Published: Jan. 1, 2023
Astyanax
mexicanus
has
repeatedly
colonized
cave
environments,
displaying
evolutionary
parallelisms
in
many
troglobitic
traits.
Despite
being
a
model
system
for
the
study
of
adaptation
to
life
perpetual
darkness,
parasites
that
infect
cavefish
are
practically
unknown.
In
this
study,
we
investigated
macroparasite
communities
18
populations
from
independent
lineages
and
compared
them
with
parasite
diversity
found
their
sister
surface
fish
populations,
aim
better
understanding
role
play
colonization
new
environments.
Within
identified
13
taxa,
including
subset
10
27
taxa
known
populations.
Parasites
infecting
belong
five
taxonomic
groups,
trematodes,
monogeneans,
nematodes,
copepods,
acari.
Monogeneans
most
dominant
group,
14
caves.
The
macroparasites
include
species
direct
cycles
trophic
transmission,
invasive
species.
Surprisingly,
paired
comparisons
indicate
higher
richness
than
fish.
Spatial
variation
composition
across
caves
suggests
historical
geographical
contingencies
host-parasite
process
potential
evolution
local
adaptations.
This
base-line
data
on
A.
provides
foundation
explore
divergent
infections
under
contrasting
ecological
pressures
(cave
vs.
environments)
adaptive
BMC Ecology and Evolution,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
22(1)
Published: Oct. 14, 2022
Aggression
is
observed
across
the
animal
kingdom,
and
benefits
animals
in
a
number
of
ways
to
increase
fitness
promote
survival.
While
aggressive
behaviors
vary
widely
populations
can
evolve
as
an
adaptation
particular
environment,
complexity
presents
challenge
studying
evolution
aggression.
The
Mexican
tetra,
Astyanax
mexicanus
exists
river-dwelling
surface
form
multiple
blind
cave
form,
some
which
exhibit
reduced
aggression,
providing
opportunity
investigate
how
shapes
behaviors.
SLEEP Advances,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
5(1)
Published: Jan. 1, 2024
Abstract
Sleep
occurs
in
all
animals
but
its
amount,
form,
and
timing
vary
considerably
between
species
individuals.
Currently,
little
is
known
about
the
basis
for
these
differences,
part,
because
we
lack
a
complete
understanding
of
brain
circuitry
controlling
sleep–wake
states
markers
cell
types
which
can
identify
similar
circuits
across
phylogeny.
Here,
I
explain
utility
an
“Evo-devo”
approach
comparative
studies
sleep
regulation
function
as
well
medicine.
This
focuses
on
evolutionary
ancient
transcription
factors
act
master
controllers
cell-type
specification.
Studying
developmental
factor
cascades
novel
clusters
control
wakefulness,
reveal
mechanisms
differences
timing,
expression,
timepoint
evolution
when
different
neurons
appeared.
Spatial
transcriptomic
studies,
based
will
greatly
aid
this
approach.
Conserved
pathways
regulate
mice,
Drosophila,
C.
elegans.
Members
LIM
Homeobox
(Lhx)
gene
family
specification
circadian
forebrain
hypothalamus.
Increased
Lhx9
activity
may
account
increased
orexin/hypocretin
reduced
Mexican
cavefish.
Other
families
specify
brainstem,
hypothalamus,
basal
forebrain.
The
expression
allows
generation
specific
transplantation
approaches.
Furthermore,
mutations
are
linked
to
variation
duration
humans,
risk
restless
legs
syndrome,
sleep-disordered
breathing.
paper
part
“Genetic
other
molecular
underpinnings
sleep,
disorders,
rhythms
including
translational
approaches”
collection.
Development,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
151(14)
Published: June 28, 2024
The
direction
of
left-right
visceral
asymmetry
is
conserved
in
vertebrates.
Deviations
the
standard
asymmetric
pattern
are
rare,
and
underlying
mechanisms
not
understood.
Here,
we
use
teleost
Astyanax
mexicanus,
consisting
surface
fish
with
normal
left-oriented
heart
cavefish
high
levels
reversed
right-oriented
asymmetry,
to
explore
natural
changes
determination.
We
show
that
Sonic
Hedgehog
(Shh)
signaling
increased
at
posterior
midline,
Kupffer's
vesicle
(the
organizer)
enlarged
contains
longer
cilia,
number
dorsal
forerunner
cells
cavefish.
Furthermore,
Shh
increase
embryos
induces
resembling
phenotype.
Asymmetric
expression
Nodal
antagonist
Dand5
equalized
or
cavefish,
mimics
dand5
asymmetry.
decrease
reduces
level
Thus,
naturally
occurring
modifications
controlled
by
effects
on
organizer
function.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: July 11, 2024
Abstract
Astyanax
mexicanus
offers
a
unique
model
for
studying
parallel
evolution,
with
cave-dwelling
forms
arising
from
at
least
two
distinct
surface
lineages.
Here,
we
examined
repeated
evolution
in
the
cave-adapted
lineages
across
four
phenotypic
datasets:
(i)
meristic
data;
(ii)
ecomorphological
and
geometric
morphometric
data
(iii)
head
(iv)
premaxillary
bone
shape.
Additionally,
assessed
association
of
these
phenotypes
their
phylogenetic
history.
Certain
traits
exhibited
evidence
cave
ecotype
lineages,
such
as
increased
maxillary
tooth
count,
reduced
lateral
line
scale
shorter
ascending
process
bone.
Geometric
showed
divergence
gradient
shape
between
populations,
strongest
Sierra
de
El
Abra
populations
less
differentiation
caves
Guatemala
Micos.
Cave
that
hybridize
(e.g.
Micos)
displayed
greatest
overlap
ecotype.
There
was
similar
shape,
but
weaker
ecotypes.
This
several
emphasizes
significance
selective
pressures
exerted
by
environment
on