Convergence in feeding posture occurs through different genetic loci in independently evolved cave populations of Astyanax mexicanus.

ABSTRACT: When an organism colonizes a new environment, it needs to adapt both morphologically and behaviorally to survive and thrive. Although recent progress has been made in understanding the genetic architecture underlying morphological evolution, behavioral evolution is poorly understood. Here, we use the Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, to study the genetic basis for convergent evolution of feeding posture. When river-dwelling surface fish became entrapped in the caves, they were confronted with dramatic changes in the availability and type of food source and in their ability to perceive it. In this setting, multiple independent populations of cavefish exhibit an altered feeding posture compared with their ancestral surface forms. We determined that this behavioral change in feeding postu

SUBMITTER: Kowalko JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3801050 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature