1. Enhanced prey capture skills in Astyanax cavefish larvae are independent from eye loss
- Author
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Jonathan Bibliowicz, William R. Jeffery, Sylvie Rétaux, Luis Espinasa, School of Science, Marist College, Marist College, Neurobiologie et Développement (N&eD), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Neurobiologie Alfred Fessard (INAF), Department of Biology, University of Maryland [College Park], and University of Maryland System-University of Maryland System
- Subjects
Larva ,[SDV.NEU.PC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Psychology and behavior ,genetic structures ,Ecology ,[SDV.NEU.NB]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Neurobiology ,Research ,digestive, oral, and skin physiology ,fungi ,Prey capture ,[SDV.NEU.SC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Neurons and Cognition [q-bio.NC]/Cognitive Sciences ,Cavefish ,Zoology ,Troglomorphy ,Biology ,Lensectomy ,Genetics ,Astyanax ,%22">Fish ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Developmental Biology - Abstract
Background Enhanced food-finding efficiency is an obvious adaptive response to cave environments. Here, we have compared the food-finding abilities of Astyanax surface fish and blind cavefish young larvae in their first month of life, in the dark. Results Our results show that enhanced prey capture skills of cavefish are already in effect in fry soon after the yolk is depleted and the young larvae must find food for themselves. Moreover, using prey capture competition assays on surface fish fry with lensectomies, we showed that eye-dependent developmental processes are not the main determinant for enhanced prey capture skills. Finally, using F2 hybrid larvae resulting from crosses between surface fish and cavefish, we found that reduced eyes do not confer a selective advantage for prey capture by fry in the dark. Conclusion We discuss these data with regards to our current developmental and genetic understanding of cavefish morphological and behavioral evolution.
- Published
- 2014