Why Study Cichlids?
A variety of social systems among cichlids. There are over 2000 species of cichlids, found predominantly in the Rift Valley lakes of East Africa. These species are ideal model species because they have robust social behaviors and a tremendous variety of social systems, including monogamy and polygamy; parental care by females, males, or both; aggressive territoriality and relative gregariousness. They communicate via auditory, chemical, and visual means that differ across species. In fact, these cues are crucial for females as they choose a mate, and this sexual selection for specific characteristics likely contributed to the explosive radiation of species. Several dozen cichlid species genomes have been sequenced, and falling sequencing costs enable additional genomes to be sequenced at will. Most work focuses on the cichlid Astatotilapia burtoni, a species from Lake Tanganyika with a sequenced genome that we study in the lab. We will also exploit the variety of cichlid species with social systems that are not found in any traditional laboratory model organism to gain insights into complex social behaviors.
A variety of social systems among cichlids. There are over 2000 species of cichlids, found predominantly in the Rift Valley lakes of East Africa. These species are ideal model species because they have robust social behaviors and a tremendous variety of social systems, including monogamy and polygamy; parental care by females, males, or both; aggressive territoriality and relative gregariousness. They communicate via auditory, chemical, and visual means that differ across species. In fact, these cues are crucial for females as they choose a mate, and this sexual selection for specific characteristics likely contributed to the explosive radiation of species. Several dozen cichlid species genomes have been sequenced, and falling sequencing costs enable additional genomes to be sequenced at will. Most work focuses on the cichlid Astatotilapia burtoni, a species from Lake Tanganyika with a sequenced genome that we study in the lab. We will also exploit the variety of cichlid species with social systems that are not found in any traditional laboratory model organism to gain insights into complex social behaviors.
Cooperative parenting among monogamous Neolamprologous brichardi cichlids
|
Territorial dominance displays between two Astatotilapia burtoni males
Parental behavior: mouth brooding of embryos
|
