Publications by authors named "N P Gabagambi"
Article Synopsis
- The mechanosensory lateral line system in fishes is crucial for survival behaviors like finding food and navigating in low-light conditions, and its morphology may undergo disruption during ecological speciation.
- In a study of two ecomorphs of the cichlid fish Astatotilapia calliptera in Lake Masoko, it was found that the deeper-water zooplanktivorous ecomorph has larger lateral line canal pores compared to the shallower-water invertebrate-feeding ecomorph.
- The findings highlight the early divergence in lateral line morphology as a potential contributor to adaptive radiation, an indication of how ecological specialization can influence sensory adaptations.
Article Synopsis
- Researchers investigated how nuclear genetic material from environmental DNA (eDNA) can reveal population genetics of cichlid fish in Lake Masoko, Tanzania.
- * The study focused on two genetically distinct ecomorphs of cichlids separated by a thermo-oxycline at 15 meters depth, indicating diverging populations within the lake.
- * By analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from both eDNA and fish samples, the team confirmed that eDNA can accurately reflect the genetic structure of populations across different depths in the lake.
Studies on parasite biogeography and host spectrum provide insights into the processes driving parasite diversification. Global geographical distribution and a multi-host spectrum make the tapeworm Ligula intestinalis a promising model for studying both the vicariant and ecological modes of speciation in parasites. To understand the relative importance of host association and biogeography in the evolutionary history of this tapeworm, we analysed mtDNA and reduced-represented genomic SNP data for a total of 139 specimens collected from 18 fish-host genera across a distribution range representing 21 countries.
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- Freshwater fishes, like the cichlid Astatotilapia calliptera in Lake Masoko, have undergone rapid speciation along depth gradients, with distinct ecomorphs developing in just 1,000 years.
- Researchers used genome-wide transcriptome data to analyze the molecular mechanisms behind these changes, specifically focusing on gene expression and splicing variations.
- They discovered thousands of differently expressed genes, with certain regulatory variants significantly influencing craniofacial development, indicating that modifications in gene regulation are key to early-stage speciation and adaptive divergence.
Article Synopsis
- - Epigenetic variation can influence gene expression and lead to differences in traits among populations adapting to different environments, specifically in the early stages of speciation.
- - The research examines the DNA methylome changes in two morphologically and ecologically distinct ecomorphs of Astatotilapia calliptera in Africa's Lake Masoko, which evolved about 1,000 years ago, despite no fixed genetic differences.
- - Findings show extensive differences in methylation patterns related to critical biological functions, supporting the idea that epigenetics plays a role in early vertebrate speciation, with some traits being inherited across generations.