Molecular Systematics of the Neotropical Cichlidae with an Emphasis on Middle American Cichlids

新热带慈鲷科的分子系统学，重点是中美洲慈鲷

• 批准号: 9527758
• 负责人: Charles Lydeard
• 金额: $ 11.5万
• 依托单位: University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1996
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1996-03-15 至 1999-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9527758&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Molecular; Systematics; Neotropical; Cichlidae; Emphasis

9527758 LYDEARD Neotropical cichlids are a group of fascinating freshwater fishes that have long attracted the attention of professional biologists and hobbyists alike. Neotropical cichlids are found from the Rio Grande in Texas to southern South America. Cichlids have evolved into a variety of shapes and sizes that are ecoloeically similar to North America's largemouth bass, bluegill, and rapid water-loving, bottom-dwelling fish called darters. Cichlids are unique among fish in that they build nests, care for their young, and defend territories. These features have also made cichlids popular with aquarium hobbyists; familiar aquarium varieties include the Jack Dempsey, firemouth, Aztec, oscar, angelfish, and discus. Unfortunately, despite the widespread appeal of Neotropical cichlids, we still know very little about the relationships among these species. The primary objective of this research is to examine the relationships of Neotropical cichlids using DNA sequencing technology. By actually sequencing portions of several genes from representatives of Neotropical cichlid species, we expect to construct a tree depicting their relationships to one another. Understanding the relationships of Neotropical cichlids will enable biologists to learn how the various morphological varieties evolved and provide an important framework for future ecological and behavioral studies. In addition, our work may provide useful information for improving cichlid stocks for the aquarium trade.

小行星9527758 新热带区慈鲷是一组迷人的淡水鱼类，长期以来一直吸引着专业生物学家和爱好者的关注。 新热带区的慈鲷科鱼类分布于德克萨斯州的格兰德河到南美洲南部。 慈鲷已经进化成各种各样的形状和大小，在生态学上类似于北美的大嘴鲈鱼，蓝鳃鱼和快速的喜水，底栖鱼类称为镖鲈。 慈鲷在鱼类中是独一无二的，因为它们筑巢，照顾他们的年轻人，并捍卫领土。 这些特点也使得慈鲷受到水族馆爱好者的欢迎;熟悉的水族馆品种包括杰克登普西，火嘴，阿兹特克，奥斯卡，天使鱼和铁饼。 不幸的是，尽管新热带区慈鲷科的广泛吸引力，我们仍然对这些物种之间的关系知之甚少。 本研究的主要目的是利用DNA测序技术来研究新热带区慈鲷科鱼类的亲缘关系。 通过对新热带区慈鲷属物种的代表性物种的几个基因的部分进行实际测序，我们希望构建一个描述它们彼此关系的树。 了解新热带区慈鲷的关系将使生物学家能够了解各种形态品种是如何进化的，并为未来的生态和行为研究提供重要的框架。 此外，我们的工作可能会提供有用的信息，以改善慈鲷种群的水族贸易。