Differential timing of gene expression regulation between leptocephali of the two Anguilla eel species in the Sargasso Sea.

ABSTRACT: The unique life-history characteristics of North Atlantic catadromous eels have long intrigued evolutionary biologists, especially with respect to mechanisms that could explain their persistence as two ecologically very similar but reproductively and geographically distinct species. Differential developmental schedules during young larval stages have commonly been hypothesized to represent such a key mechanism. We performed a comparative analysis of gene expression by means of microarray experiments with American and European eel leptocephali collected in the Sargasso Sea in order to test the alternative hypotheses of (1) differential timing of gene expression regulation during early development versus (2) species-specific differences in expression of particular genes. Our results provide

SUBMITTER: Bernatchez L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3287341 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature