Pioneering Betta splendens as a new vertebrate model for evolutionary and behavioral genetics

项目摘要 自从达尔文的进化论发展以来，驯养的动物如狗和鸽子 提供了关键的见解，进化过程，分子基础的形态和 生理适应，以及生物医学特征的遗传学。然而， 驯化动物需要获得机械的见解是具有挑战性的，因为遗传学的困难， 操纵，相对较长的世代时间和伦理问题。利用…的优势 驯化，同时允许详细解剖的基因和途径的重要特征，我们 建议开发暹罗斗鱼，斗鱼，作为一个强大的新的脊椎动物模型， 进化遗传学这个模型将使我们能够了解分子原因和表型 形态和行为适应的结果。 大约650年前，泰国开始驯化斗鱼，用于有组织的战斗， 请愿书，提供了一个独特的窗口到极端的侵略行为的演变。在过去的120年里， 斗鱼也被饲养用于观赏目的，现在是最受欢迎的宠物鱼之一。就像在许多 驯化，人工选择导致了形态表型的显着多样性，包括col- 或鳍的类型，以及潜在的生物医学利益的特点，包括脊柱缺陷， 不孕同时，斗鱼作为实验系统呈现出许多优点：（i）它们施肥 外部，促进遗传操作;（ii）它们在透明的卵内迅速发育，允许有效的遗传操作。 （iii）它们的世代时间为9周，窝卵数约为400窝， 实验遗传分析;和（iv）斗鱼基因组只有441 Mb，在最小的verte- 这使得全基因组重测序方法特别便宜。为了利用这些功能，我们 建议将野生动物和家养动物的群体遗传学与定量遗传作图相结合 以及在受控实验室条件下的功能研究。具体而言，我们将： 在进化遗传学的新脊椎动物系统中开发一个基因组工具包; 中华斗鱼的阳离子遗传学;发现形态多样性的分子基础;研究 攻击性的进化遗传学 影响：本项目将建立B。作为进化遗传学中的新模式生物， 剖析行为和形态进化的遗传和分子基础， 对于解决进化如何重塑攻击性神经元回路的研究，对于阐明更重要的， 这一重要特征背后的学术基础。

Project Summary Ever since the development of Darwin’s evolutionary theory, domesticated animals such as dogs and pigeons have provided key insights into the evolutionary process, the molecular bases of morphological and physiological adaptations, as well as into the genetics of biomedical traits. Yet, the experimentation in domesticated animals needed to obtain mechanistic insights is challenging because of difficulties with genetic manipulation, relatively long generation times, and ethical concerns. To leverage the advantages of domesticates while allowing for detailed dissection of the genes and pathways underlying important traits, we propose to develop Siamese Fighting Fish, Betta splendens, as a powerful new vertebrate model for evolutionary genetics. This model will allow us to learn about the molecular causes and phenotypic consequences of morphological and behavioral adaptations. Betta splendens were domesticated in Thailand beginning around 650 years ago for fighting in organized com- petitions, providing a unique window into the evolution of extreme aggressive behavior. For the last 120 years, Betta have also been bred for ornamental purposes and are now one of the most popular pet fish. Like in many domesticates, artificial selection has led to a remarkable diversity of morphological phenotypes, including col- ors and fin types, as well as to traits of potential biomedical interest, including vertebral column defects and infertility. At the same time, Betta present a number of advantages as an experimental system: (i) they fertilize externally, facilitating genetic manipulation; (ii) they develop quickly inside transparent eggs, allowing for effi- cient analyses of development; (iii) they have generation times of nine weeks and clutch sizes of ~400, facilitat- ing experimental genetic analyses; and (iv) the Betta genome is only 441 Mb, among the smallest in verte- brates, making whole genome resequencing methods particularly affordable. To leverage these features, we propose to combine population genetics of wild and domesticated animals with quantitative genetic mapping and functional studies under controlled laboratory conditions. Specifically, we will: Develop a genomic toolkit in a new vertebrate system for evolutionary genetics; unravel the domesti- cation genetics of Betta splendens; discover molecular bases of morphological diversity; and study the evolutionary genetics of aggression. Impact: This project will establish B. splendens as a novel model organism in evolutionary genetics, help to dissect the genetic and molecular bases of behavioral and morphological evolution, and provide the foundation for studies that address how evolution can reshape neuronal circuits of aggression, vital for elucidating the mo- lecular basis underlying this important trait.