Journal Article
An asymmetric genetic signal associated with mechanosensory expansion in cave-adapted fish
Powers, A.K., Boggs, T.E.and Gross, J.B.
Record Number:
5061
Year:
2020
Journal:
Symmetry
Volume:
12, 1951
Abstract:
Abstract: A key challenge in contemporary biology is connecting genotypic variation to phenotypic
diversity. Quantitative genetics provides a powerful technique for identifying regions of the genome
that covary with phenotypic variation. Here, we present a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of
a natural freshwater fish system, Astyanax mexicanus, that harbors two morphs corresponding to a
cave and surface fish. Following their divergence ~500 Kya, cavefish have adapted to the extreme
pressures of the subterranean biome. As a consequence, cavefish have lost numerous features,
but evolved gains for a variety of constructive features including behavior. Prior work found that
sensory tissues (neuromasts) present in the “eye orbit” region of the skull associate with sensitivity
to vibrations in water. This augmented sensation is believed to facilitate foraging behavior in the
complete darkness of a cave, and may impact on evolved lateral swimming preference. To this
point, however, it has remained unclear how morphological variation integrates with behavioral
variation through heritable factors. Using a QTL approach, we discovered the genetic architecture of
neuromasts present in the eye orbit region, demonstrating that this feature is under genetic control.
Interestingly, linked loci were asymmetric–signals were detected using only data collected from the
right, but not left, side of the face. This finding may explain enhanced sensitivity and/or feedback
of water movements mediating a lateral swimming preference. The locus we discovered based on
neuromast position maps near established QTL for eye size and a facial bone morphology, raising the
intriguing possibility that eye loss, sensory expansion, and the cranial skeleton may be integrated
for evolving adaptive behaviors. Thus, this work will further our understanding of the functional
consequence of key loci that influence the evolutionary origin of changes impacting morphology,
behavior, and adaptation.
Keywords: craniofacial; intramembranous; neuromast; lateral line; QTL analysis
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species: