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The genetic basis of behavior in the blind Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus

In recent years, considerable progress has been made towards understanding the genetic basis of the evolution of morphological traits. In contrast, relatively little is known about how behavioral traits evolve. Astyanax mexicanus, a species of fish that exists in both surface and cave forms, is an ideal system to study behavioral evolution. Surface and cave morphs of Astyanax mexicanus differ in a variety of morphological and behavioral traits. They are interfertile, allowing for genetic analysis of the evolution of these traits. Finally, Astyanax mexicanus exists in multiple, independently evolved cave populations, providing an excellent system for studying convergent evolution.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:harvard.edu/oai:dash.harvard.edu:1/11181222
Date18 October 2013
CreatorsKowalko, Johanna Elizabeth
ContributorsTabin, Clifford James
PublisherHarvard University
Source SetsHarvard University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Rightsopen

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