Phylogeography of surface and cave Astyanax (Teleostei) from Central and North America based on cytochrome b sequence data

Strecker, Ulrike; Faúndez, Víctor H.; Wilkens, Horst

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2004.07.001

Cited by 122 publications

(155 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…If the "recurrent convergence" hypothesis is considered to be correct, then the taxonomy of Bramocharax needs to be revised and the evolutionary mechanisms giving rise to these morphological homoplasies need further investigation. Our analyses question the taxonomic utility of trophic characters (e.g., teeth shape or jaw modification), as previously done by Rosen [47] Further incidences of morphological convergence were found in troglobitic morphotypes of Astyanax jordani (this has been noted by previous authors [37,38,50]), providing further evidence of independent (at least two different times, see Figure 6) adaptation to troglobitic habitats. The presence of recurrent morphological convergence in Astyanax [50,51] makes the delimitation of species and genera difficult.…”

Section: Systematics Of the Genera Astyanax And Bramocharaxsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…The colonization of Central America prior to Late Cenozoic closure of the Panama Strait is incongruent with the geological data, and with other studies of characid genera (Brycon, Bryconamericus, Eretmobrycon and Cyphocharax) [15], including a previous study of Astyanax [37], all of which propose that closure of the strait ~3.3 Mya provided the first opportunity for colonization of Central America from South America.…”

Section: Dispersal Hypothesis On the Origin Of Genus Astyanax In Mesomentioning

confidence: 54%

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Hibernation in an Antarctic Fish: On Ice for Winter

2011

Research Progress in Fisheries Science

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Background: Mesoamerica is one of the world's most complex biogeographical regions, mostly due to its complex geological history. This complexity has led to interesting biogeographical processes that have resulted in the current diversity and distribution of fauna in the region. The fish genus Astyanax represents a useful model to assess biogeographical hypotheses due to it being one of the most diverse and widely distributed freshwater fish species in the New World. We used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to evaluate phylogenetic relationships within the genus in Mesoamerica, and to develop historical biogeographical hypotheses to explain its current distribution.

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Section: Systematics Of the Genera Astyanax And Bramocharaxsupporting

confidence: 69%

Section: Dispersal Hypothesis On the Origin Of Genus Astyanax In Mesomentioning

confidence: 54%

Hibernation in an Antarctic Fish: On Ice for Winter

2011

Research Progress in Fisheries Science

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“…The primordial Evolution of cave fish H Wilkens eye size varies between the different cave populations of Astyanax fasciatus being larger in the Pachó n and Molino caves. For the Pachó n population, there is evidence from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA studies that introgression from surface populations has occurred, which is also suggested for other cave populations such as Molino (Strecker et al, , 2004. It is, therefore, possible that the larger primordial eyes are due to introgression of surface eye genes, which may have reversed and temporarily delayed the regressive process (Wilkens, 2007).…”

Section: Developmental Genetics and Histology Of The Cave Fish Eye Dumentioning

confidence: 91%

Genes, modules and the evolution of cave fish

Wilkens

2010

Heredity

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Cave fish provide a model system for exploring the genetic basis of regressive evolution. A proposal that regressive evolution (for example, eye loss) may result from pleiotropy, by selection on constructive traits (for example, improved taste) has received considerable recent interest as it contradicts the theory that regressive evolution results from neutral evolution. In this study, these theories are reviewed by placing the classical and molecular genetic studies of cave fish in a common framework. Sequence data and the wide range of intermediate sized eyes in hybrids between surface and cave fish suggest that currently there is no strong evidence supporting the notion that structural eye genes have been afflicted by destructive mutations. The hedgehog genes, which are suggested to reduce the primordial eye cup size in cavefish by expanded expression, are also not mutated. The as yet unidentified 'eye genes' revealed by crossing experiments seem primarily responsible for eye regression and determine eye development through hedgehog. Hybrids between different eye-reduced cave populations developing large 'back to surface eyes' support this. In such eyes, hh expression is restored by complementary restitution because of the recombination of 'eye genes', which were subjected to different destructive mutations in separately evolving cave fish populations. All regressive and constructive cave fish traits can be considered to result from genetic modules, each showing a comparable pattern of expression. The constructive and regressive modules are shown to inherit independently from each other, which does not support the view that eye regression is a spin off effect of the improvement of beneficial traits through pleiotropy.

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“…This makes it possible to determine how a given biological process has evolved in constant darkness, even down to specific molecular changes, by comparing directly descendants of the founding river fish with isolated cave populations. In addition, there are numerous distinct and welldefined cave strains of Astyanax in this region of Mexico, making it possible to compare the evolution of specific traits amongst several independent populations [14][15][16][17] . As such, Astyanax mexicanus provides a unique opportunity to explore how the circadian clock has changed between river and cave following several hundred thousand years or more of constant darkness.…”

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confidence: 99%

Circadian rhythms in Mexican blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus in the lab and in the field

et al. 2013

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Biological clocks have evolved as an adaptation to life on a rhythmic planet, synchronising physiological processes to the environmental light-dark cycle. Here we examine circadian clock function in Mexican blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus and its surface counterpart. In the lab, adult surface fish show robust circadian rhythms in per1, which are retained in cave populations, but with substantial alterations. These changes may be due to increased levels of light-inducible genes in cavefish, including clock repressor per2. From a molecular standpoint, cavefish appear as if they experience 'constant light' rather than perpetual darkness. Micos River samples show similar per1 oscillations to those in the lab. However, data from Chica Cave shows complete repression of clock function, while expression of several lightresponsive genes is raised, including DNA repair genes. We propose that altered expression of light-inducible genes provides a selective advantage to cavefish at the expense of a damped circadian oscillator.

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Phylogeography of surface and cave Astyanax (Teleostei) from Central and North America based on cytochrome b sequence data

Cited by 122 publications

References 30 publications

Hibernation in an Antarctic Fish: On Ice for Winter

Hibernation in an Antarctic Fish: On Ice for Winter

Genes, modules and the evolution of cave fish

Circadian rhythms in Mexican blind cavefish Astyanax mexicanus in the lab and in the field

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