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: 10672983
• 负责人: Andrés Bendesky
• 金额: $ 40.5万
• 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/10672983
• 关键词: Address; Aggressive behavior; Anatomy; Behavioral; Behavioral Genetics; Biological; Biological Models; Breeding; Canis familiaris; Chromosome Mapping; Clutch Size; Color; Columbidae; DNA Resequencing; Defect; Development; Dissection; Domestic Animals; Ethics; Evolution; Experimental Genetics; Fishes; Foundations; Generations; Genes; Genetic; Genome; Genomics; Health; Human; Infertility; Laboratories; Learning; Methods; Modeling; Molecular; Morphology; Neurons; Pathway interactions; Phenotype; Physiological Adaptation; Population Genetics; Process; Quantitative Genetics; Shapes; System; Thailand; Time; Vertebral column; Vertebrates; Wild Animals; base; egg; fighting; genetic analysis; genetic manipulation; insight; interest; model organism; 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.

项目摘要 自达尔文进化论发展以来，狗和鸽子等驯养的动物 已经为进化过程，形态学和 生理适应以及生物医学特征的遗传学。但是，实验 获得机械见解所需的驯养动物是具有挑战性的，因为遗传困难 操纵，相对较长的生成时间和道德问题。利用 在允许对重要特征的基因和途径进行详细解剖的同时，我们 提议开发暹罗战鱼，贝塔·斯莱斯顿（Betta Splendens），作为强大的新脊椎动物模型 进化遗传学。该模型将使我们能够了解分子原因和表型 形态和行为适应的后果。 Betta Splendens在650年前大约是在有组织的COM-650年前开始被驯化的 请愿书，为极端侵略行为的演变提供了独特的窗口。在过去的120年中， 贝塔（Betta）也出于观赏目的而繁殖，现在是最受欢迎的宠物鱼之一。像许多人一样 人工选择的家人导致了形态学表型的显着多样性，包括col- ORS和FIN类型，以及潜在生物医学兴趣的特征，包括椎骨缺陷和 不育。同时，贝塔（Betta）作为实验系统提出了许多优势：（i）他们受精 在外部，支持基因操纵； （ii）它们在透明鸡蛋内迅速发展，从而付出了努力 - 开发分析； （iii）它们的产生时间为9周，离合器尺寸约为400， 实验遗传分析； （iv）Betta基因组仅为441 Mb，在椎体中最小的基因组之一 大写，使整个基因组重新陈述方法特别负担得起。为了利用这些功能，我们 提议将野生和家畜的人口遗传学与定量遗传图相结合 以及在受控实验室条件下的功能研究。具体来说，我们将： 在新的脊椎动物系统中开发基因组工具包，用于进化遗传学；解开国内 Betta Splendens的阳离子遗传学；发现形态学多样性的分子基础；和学习 侵略性的进化遗传学。 影响：该项目将建立B. Splendens在进化遗传学中成为一种新型的模型生物，有助于 剖析行为和形态进化的遗传和分子碱基，并提供基础 对于解决进化如何重塑侵袭性的神经元回路的研究，对于阐明莫尔的至关重要 这一重要特征的基础。