The genetic and developmental basis of a novel pigment pattern in cichlid fishes

In nature there is a huge diversity of species present, varying in many attributes such as shape, size, colour and habitat. The mechanisms driving variation between species remain largely unexplored, primarily due to the significant challenge posed by evolutionary time scales. Even the most closely related species are often separated by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of years, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact factors behind these differences.

One group of fish species, the cichlids, provide a unique opportunity to allow this study to happen. They mainly live in three African lakes (Malawi, Victoria and Tanganyika) and in each lake there are several thousands of very closely related species that show a huge range of diversity in shape, size, colour, habitat and behaviour. This provides a unique opportunity for looking at the evolution of morphologies between very closely related species.

With its specific focus on pigmentation character, the colourful spots that are present in the anal fins of hundreds of cichlid species, the projects aims to link what changes in embryonic development result in differences in pigmentation in the different fish species. Through this, it seeks to identify how the variation between species in this important trait is generated. Since pigment cells are found in all vertebrates, the results will have larger implications for the group and will set us on the path towards a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying vertebrate evolution and diversity.