biostudies-literatureBrandon AANIDCR NIH HHSClemson UniversityFoundation for the National Institutes of HealthDivision of Integrative Organismal SystemsNIGMS NIH HHSArnold and Mabel Beckman Foundatione0306614https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11230561biostudies-literatureUnknown19(7)Pigment patterns are incredibly diverse across vertebrates and are shaped by multiple selective pressures from predator avoidance to mate choice. A common pattern across fishes, but for which we know little about the underlying mechanisms, is repeated melanic vertical bars. To understand the genetic factors that modify the level or pattern of vertical barring, we generated a genetic cross of 322 F2 hybrids between two cichlid species with distinct barring patterns, Aulonocara koningsi and Metriaclima mbenjii. We identify 48 significant quantitative trait loci that underlie a series of seven phenotypes related to the relative pigmentation intensity, and four traits related to patterning of the vertical bars. We find that genomic regions that generate variation in the level of eumelanin prodPloS oneDistinct genetic origins of eumelanin levels and barring patterns in cichlid fishes.PMC11230561P20 GM12134214567651942178Young Investigator AwardP20GM121342Creative Inquiry ProgramR15 DE029945Carmona Baez ABrandon AAMichael CMoore ECPowder KECiccotto PJRoberts RBRoberts NBfalseDistinct genetic origins of eumelanin levels and barring patterns in cichlid fishes.Pigment patterns are incredibly diverse across vertebrates and are shaped by multiple selective pressures from predator avoidance to mate choice. A common pattern across fishes, but for which we know little about the underlying mechanisms, is repeated melanic vertical bars. To understand the genetic factors that modify the level or pattern of vertical barring, we generated a genetic cross of 322 F2 hybrids between two cichlid species with distinct barring patterns, Aulonocara koningsi and Metriaclima mbenjii. We identify 48 significant quantitative trait loci that underlie a series of seven phenotypes related to the relative pigmentation intensity, and four traits related to patterning of the vertical bars. We find that genomic regions that generate variation in the level of eumelanin prod2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242026-06-01T07:37:26.162Z2025-04-04T11:25:03.149ZS-EPMC112305613897665610.1371/journal.pone.0306614