Subterranean Fishes of the World

5860

2022

Current Biology

R591-R596

32

Caves are paradoxical environments — at once sheltered and harsh — and the animals that inhabit them are a match. They are often unpigmented and lack eyes, while other senses are sharpened. Their weird appearance has fascinated naturalists forever, but the way we think about their evolution has changed considerably. Initially, they were conceived of as “wrecks of ancient life” — regressed creatures that were no match for their fi t surface relatives. Accordingly, early research on cave animals, especially the model cavefi sh Astyanax mexicanus, has pinpointed how vital features, such as eyes or color, were lost. In recent years, however, the focus has shifted towards the astounding morphological, behavioral and metabolic adaptations that help cave animals economize in the face of scarce and patchy resources.

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