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

开创性的斗鱼作为进化和行为遗传学的新脊椎动物模型

• 批准号: 10540897
• 负责人: Andrés Bendesky
• 金额: $ 8.9万
• 依托单位: COLUMBIA UNIV NEW YORK MORNINGSIDE
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2021-09-15 至 2026-07-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10540897
• 关键词: Address; Aggressive behavior; Anatomy; Animal Model; Behavioral; Behavioral Genetics; Biological; Biological Models; Canis familiaris; Cations; Chromosome Mapping; Clutch Size; Color; Columbidae; DNA Resequencing; Defect; Development; Dissection; Domestic Animals; Ethics; Evolution; Experimental Genetics; Fishes; Foundations; Generations; Genes; Genetic; Genome; Genomics; Infertility; Laboratories; Learning; Methods; Modeling; Molecular; Morphology; Neurons; Pathway interactions; Phenotype; Physiological Adaptation; Population Genetics; Process; Quantitative Genetics; System; Thailand; Time; Vertebral column; Vertebrates; Wild Animals; base; egg; fighting; genetic analysis; genetic manipulation; insight; interest; male health; neuronal circuitry; novel; siamese fighting fish; theories; tool; trait; whole genome

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.

项目总结