The effect of selection on a long wavelength-sensitive (LWS) opsin gene of Lake Victoria cichlid fishes.

ABSTRACT: In East African Lake Victoria >200 endemic species of haplochromine fishes have been described on the basis of morphological and behavioral differences. Yet molecular analysis has failed to reveal any species-specific differences among these fishes in either mitochondrial or nuclear genes. Although the genes could be shown to vary, the variations represent trans-species polymorphisms not yet assorted along species lines. Nevertheless, fixed genetic differences must exist between the species at loci responsible for the adaptive characters distinguishing the various forms from one another. Here we describe variation and fixation at the long wavelength-sensitive (LWS) opsin locus, which is selection-driven, adaptive, and if not species- then at least population-specific. Because color is one

SUBMITTER: Terai Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC137746 | biostudies-literature | 2002 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature