Abstract

The genetic basis of the emergence and maintenance of morphological variation in natural populations remains largely uncharacterised. We address this question in a highly diverse vertebrate model system, cichlid fishes. We specifically focus on variation of a set of brightly pigmented egg-spots on male anal fins that play a key role in the territorial and breeding behaviour of around 1,500 species of cichlids. Using both intra and inter-specific genomic comparisons, but also detailed characterisations of trait development, we identified both genetic, cellular and plastic factors underlying variation in this sexually selected trait. Interestingly, the loci associated with variation within species do not overlap with inter-specific mapping approaches, suggesting that in this system variation within populations does not contribute to variation between species. The identified loci are known to be involved in the physiology and development of pigment cells, we will discuss the progress of the genetic and developmental dissection of candidate gene function and trait ontogeny.

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https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82089026611?pwd=L2FyclJFL2lYR0J3SFBDbHQyUFp6UT09

Meeting ID: 820 8902 6611

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