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，像狗和鸽子这样的家养动物 为进化过程提供了关键的见解，形态和分子基础 生理适应，以及生物医学特征的遗传学。然而，在中国的实验 获得机械洞察力所需的驯养动物具有挑战性，因为在遗传方面存在困难 操纵，相对较长的世代时间，以及伦理问题。利用…的优势 在驯化的同时，我们还可以详细剖析重要性状背后的基因和途径 建议开发暹罗斗鱼，斗鱼，作为一种强大的新脊椎动物模型 进化遗传学。这个模型将使我们了解分子原因和表型。 形态和行为适应的后果。 华丽斗鱼大约在650年前开始在泰国驯化，用于有组织的战斗-- 请愿书，为极端攻击性行为的演变提供了一个独特的窗口。在过去的120年里， 斗鱼也被用于观赏目的，现在是最受欢迎的观赏鱼之一。就像在许多地方一样 在家养动物中，人工选择导致了形态表型的显著多样性，包括COLOR。 ORS和鳍型，以及具有潜在生物医学意义的特征，包括脊柱缺陷和 不孕不育。同时，作为一种实验系统，Betta提供了许多优点：(I)它们使 在外部，促进遗传操作；(Ii)它们在透明的卵子内快速发育，允许有效地- 对发育的充分分析；(3)它们的世代时间为9周，窝卵大小约为400只，有利于- 在实验遗传分析中；以及(Iv)斗鱼基因组只有441Mb，是垂直最小的基因组之一。 Brates，使得全基因组重测序方法特别负担得起。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数量遗传图谱相结合 以及受控实验室条件下的功能研究。具体来说，我们会： 在进化遗传学的新脊椎动物系统中开发基因组工具包；揭开 斗鱼的阳离子遗传学；发现形态多样性的分子基础；以及研究 攻击性的进化遗传学。 影响：该项目将把华丽双胞菌建立为进化遗传学的新模式生物，有助于 剖析行为和形态进化的遗传和分子基础，并提供基础 对于研究进化如何重塑攻击性神经元回路，这对于阐明这种变化至关重要。 这一重要特征背后的理论基础。

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.