Fin of a juvenile cichlid fish (IMAGE)
Caption
Dr Emilia Santos and her team are exploring how biodiversity develops and changes over time, using tropical cichlid fish. The team is studying special pigment patterns called egg-spots - bright markings found on the anal fins of many male cichlids. These are important for attracting mates and vary widely in size, number, and position, both between and within species. The yellow reveals a gene the team is looking at. By studying where and when certain genes are switched on, they hope to understand how the striking patterns develop and evolve.
Credit
Dr Aleksandra Marconi, in Dr Emilia Santos' team.
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