A5067004349- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Zebrafish Biomedical Research Applications
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Congenital heart defects research
- Plant and animal studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Insect and Pesticide Research
Harvard University
2014-2024
Harvard Stem Cell Institute
2021
Boston VA Research Institute
2019-2020
American University
2011-2012
Significance The propensity for weight gain is detrimental to modern human health. However, under environmental conditions where nutrients are limiting, this trait can be highly adaptive. Currently, the genetic basis of population level differences in appetite control and metabolism still largely mysterious. Here, we describe changes that evolved small tetra Astyanax mexicanus as it adapted from surface rivers nutrient-poor environment found caves. We identified coding mutations melanocortin...
Emergent social behavior in larval zebrafish is altered by targeted gene mutations.
Specialized insect mouthparts, such as those of Drosophila, are derived from an ancestral mandibulate state, but little is known about the developmental genetics mouthparts. Here, we study metamorphic patterning mouthparts beetle Tribolium castaneum, using RNA interference to deplete expression 13 genes involved in mouthpart patterning. These data were used test three hypotheses related development and evolution. First, tested prediction that maxillary labial palps patterned conserved...
Abstract Caves provide excellent settings to examine evolutionary questions. Subterranean environments are characterized by similar and consistent conditions. Cave‐adapted species often share characteristics such as diminished pigmentation, elongated limbs reduced or absent eyes. Relatively little is known about the evolution development of troglomorphic traits in invertebrates. In this study, we compare expression eye genes hedgehog , pax6 sine oculis dachshund individuals from multiple...
Abstract Background Despite a longstanding interest in understanding how animals adapt to environments with limited nutrients, we have incomplete knowledge of the genetic basis metabolic evolution. The Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus , is species fish that consists two morphotypes; eyeless cavefish adapted low-nutrient cave environment, and ancestral river-dwelling surface abundant access nutrients. Cavefish evolved altered blood sugar regulation, starvation tolerance, increased fat...
Abstract Carotenoids are lipid‐soluble yellow to orange pigments produced by plants, bacteria, and fungi. They consumed animals metabolized produce molecules essential for gene regulation, vision, pigmentation. Cave represent an interesting opportunity understand how carotenoid utilization evolves. Caves devoid of light, eliminating primary production energy through photosynthesis and, therefore, limiting availability. Moreover, the selective pressures that favor carotenoid‐based traits,...
Periodic food shortage is one of the biggest challenges organisms face in natural habitats. How animals cope with nutrient limited conditions an active area study, particular relevance context current increasing destabilization global climate. Caves represent extreme setting where have adapted to nutrient-limited conditions, as most cave environments lack a primary energy source. Here we show that cave-adapted populations Mexican Tetra, Astyanax mexicanus, dysregulated blood glucose...
Abstract Since Darwin, coordinated movement of animal groups has been believed to be essential species survival, but it is not understood how changes in the genetic makeup individuals might alter behavior collective. Here we find that even at early larval stage, zebrafish regulate their proximity and alignment with each other. Two simple visual responses, one measures relative field occupancy other global motion, suffice account for group emerges. We analyze mutations genes known affect...
Abstract Studying neural mechanisms in complementary model organisms from different ecological niches the same animal class can leverage comparative brain analysis at cellular level. To advance such a direction, we developed unified atlas platform and specialized tools that allowed us to quantitatively compare structures two teleost larvae, medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) zebrafish Danio rerio ). Leveraging this quantitative approach found most regions are similar but some subpopulations unique...
Abstract The gastrointestinal tract has evolved in numerous ways to allow animals optimally assimilate energy from different foods. morphology and physiology of the gut is plastic can be greatly altered by diet some animals. In this study, we investigated evolution plasticity comparing laboratory-raised cave- river-adapted forms Mexican tetra, Astyanax mexicanus , reared under dietary conditions. wild, river-dwelling populations (surface fish) consume plants insects throughout year, while...
Abstract Carotenoids are yellow to orange pigments produced by plants, bacteria, and fungi. They consumed animals metabolized produce molecules essential for gene regulation, vision, pigmentation. Cave represent an interesting opportunity understand how carotenoid utilization evolves. Caves devoid of light, eliminating primary production energy through photosynthesis therefore limiting availability. Moreover, the selective pressures that favor carotenoid-based traits, like pigmentation...