Journal Article
Parallel shifts of visual sensitivity and body coloration in replicate populations of extremophile fish
Owens, G.L., Veen, T., Moxley, D.R., Arias-Rodriguez, L., Tobler, M. and Rennison, D.J.
Record Number:
5808
Year:
2021
Journal:
Molecular Ecology
Pages:
946-958
Volume:
31
Abstract:
Visual sensitivity and body pigmentation are often shaped by both natural selection
from the environment and sexual selection from mate choice. One way of quantifying
the impact of the environment is by measuring how traits have changed after
colonization of a novel habitat. To do this, we studied Poecilia mexicana populations
that have repeatedly adapted to extreme sulphidic (H2S-containing)
environments.
We measured visual sensitivity using opsin gene expression, as well as body pigmentation,
for populations in four independent drainages. Both visual sensitivity and body
pigmentation showed significant parallel shifts towards greater medium-wavelength
sensitivity and reflectance in sulphidic populations. Altogether we found that sulphidic
habitats select for differences in visual sensitivity and pigmentation. Shifts between
habitats may be due to both differences in the water's spectral properties and
correlated ecological changes.
K E Y W O R D S
adaptation, colour patterning, fish, sexual selection, sulphide spring, vision
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species: