Article
Behavioral Sciences
Cheng-Yu Li, Chun-Ying Pan, Yuying Hsu
Summary: The outcomes of recent fights can affect individuals' contest decisions and their fighting ability in relation to their growth rate. This study focused on the variation of winner-loser effects in individuals of a species based on their age-dependent growth rates. It was found that fast-growing individuals were less likely to detect winner-loser effects and the effects decayed more quickly. Additionally, fast-growing individuals displayed stronger winner effects but not loser effects. These findings suggest that individuals respond to their contest experiences in a way that reflects the value of the information obtained, consistent with the predictions.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anthony G. E. Mathiron, Gil Gallego, Frederic Silvestre
Summary: The impacts of environmental constraints during development on the behavioural response of fishes are not well understood. This study examined how early exposure to the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin influenced phenotypic traits in mangrove rivulus fish. The results showed that larval exposure to high concentration permethrin led to slower growth, decreased activity, negative thigmotaxis, and reduced prey capture. Additionally, adult fish previously exposed to high concentration permethrin showed overcompensated growth and altered aggression behavior during contests. This study highlights the immediate and persistent effects of permethrin on phenotypic traits and suggests an interaction between pyrethroids and hormones in affecting animal behavior.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
V. Chapelle, J. Lambert, T. Deom, E. Tessier, D. Amouroux, F. Silvestre
Summary: This study aims to assess the immediate and/or delayed effects of early-life methylmercury exposure on behaviors, related gene expression, and DNA methylation. The results showed that methylmercury exposure led to decreased foraging efficiency, increased thigmotaxis, and reduced locomotor activity in larvae. The expression of certain genes was also affected, but no methylation changes were found in targeted CpGs. The significant behavioral and molecular impairments observed in larvae were not found in adults, highlighting the distinction between immediate and delayed effects of developmental methylmercury exposure.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Andy J. Turko, Giulia S. Rossi, Tamzin A. Blewett, Suzanne Currie, D. Scott Taylor, Patricia A. Wright, Emily M. Standen
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms of phenotypic variation within and among populations is an important goal in physiological ecology. This study explores the potential trade-offs and differences in individual quality as the underlying reasons for the variation. By comparing the aquatic and terrestrial athletic performance of amphibious fish captured from different habitats, the researchers find evidence for both trade-offs and individual quality, suggesting that environmental context may mediate the variation. These findings emphasize the importance of considering within-population patterns in addition to population-level trends when studying phenotypic trade-offs.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hussein A. Saud, Paul A. O'Neill, Yosuke Ono, Bas Verbruggen, Ronny Van Aerle, Jaebum Kim, Jae-Seong Lee, Brian C. Ring, Tetsuhiro Kudoh
Summary: This study characterized two mutants in self-fertilizing mangrove killifish, with identified mutated genes for rapid identification. The findings showcase the potential for accelerating future small-scale forward-genetic screening and mutation identification.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Cheng-Yu Li, Helena Boldt, Emily Parent, Jax Ficklin, Althea James, Troy J. Anlage, Lena M. Boyer, Brianna R. Pierce, Kellee R. Siegfried, Matthew P. Harris, Eric S. Haag
Summary: Kryptolebias marmoratus is a unique fish species with distinct phenotypes and behaviors. It provides insights into vertebrate sexual development and genetics as the only known self-fertile vertebrate. By optimizing husbandry techniques, including frequent egg collection and protease treatment, early cleavage-stage embryos can be maximized. This enables experimental analysis and targeted knockout of specific genes. These tools will contribute to our understanding of plasticity regulation.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Joseph M. Styga, Isobel G. Brown, Margaret McMullen
Summary: The phenotype plasticity of individuals has a significant impact on whole-animal performance and its evolution. This study used the model organism Kryptolebias marmoratus to investigate the effect of early life experience on adult terrestrial jumping performance and discovered the variation introduced by phenotypic plasticity.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)