Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish - Hardcover

Keene, Alex; Yoshizawa, Masato; McGaugh, Suzanne Elaine

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0128021489 ISBN 13: 9780128021484

Publisher: Academic Press, 2015

Synopsis

Biology and Evolution of the Mexican Cavefish features contributions by leading researchers in a comprehensive, unique work that examines a number of distinct areas of biology―evolution, development, ecology, and behavior―using the Mexican cavefish as a powerful model system to further understanding of basic biological processes such as eye degeneration, hearing, craniofacial development, sleep, and metabolic function.

These fish are currently being used to better understand a number of issues related to human health, including age-related blindness, sleep, obesity, mood-related disorders, and aging. The recent sequencing of the cavefish genome broadens the interest of this system to groups working with diverse biological systems, and has helped researchers identify genes that regulate sleep, eye degeneration, and metabolic function.

Mexican cavefish are particularly powerful for the study of biological processes because these fish evolved independently in twenty-nine caves in the Sierra de el Abra Region of Northeast Mexico. These fish have dramatic adaptations to the cave environment, and this can be used to identify genes involved in disease-related traits.

This scholarly text will be of interest to researchers and students throughout diverse areas of biology and ecology. It includes photographs of animals and behavior in laboratory and natural settings that will also increase interest and accessibility to non-experts.

• Includes a mixture of images and illustrations such as the geographical distribution of cave pools and the developmental biology of the nervous system
• Features a companion site with geographical maps
• Fills a notable gap in the literature on a topic of broad interest to the scientific community
• Presents the recent sequencing of the cavefish genome as a groundbreaking development for researchers working with diverse biological systems

About this title

Review:

"The book provides a large amount of information and fully covers the literature. Those who seek to enter the field need look no further. Overall, this book is clear evidence that the Mexican cavefish has become a powerful research system for studying organismal evolution at the population level..." --The Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 92, No. 4

About this edition

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0128021489
• ISBN 13: 9780128021484
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 412