Affiliation:
1. Stowers Institute for Medical Research Missouri Kansas City USA
2. Department of Cell Biology & Physiology University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City Missouri USA
Abstract
AbstractExtreme environmental conditions have profound impacts on shaping the evolutionary trajectory of organisms. Exposure to these conditions elicits stress responses, that can trigger phenotypic changes in novel directions. The Mexican Tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, is an excellent model for understanding evolutionary mechanisms in response to extreme or new environments. This fish species consists of two morphs; the classical surface‐dwelling fish and the blind cave‐dwellers that inhabit dark and biodiversity‐reduced ecosystems. In this review, we explore the specific stressors present in cave environments and examine the diverse adaptive strategies employed by cave populations to not only survive but thrive as successful colonizers. By analyzing the evolutionary responses of A. mexicanus, we gain valuable insights into the genetic, physiological, and behavioral adaptations that enable organisms to flourish under challenging environmental conditions.
Funder
American Society for Cell Biology
Subject
Developmental Biology,Genetics,Animal Science and Zoology,Molecular Medicine,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics