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Adapting to Darkness: How Behavioral and Genetic Changes Helped Cavefish Survive Extreme Environment


September 14, 2010

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University of Maryland biologists have identified how changes in both behavior and genetics led to the evolution of the Mexican blind cavefish from its sighted, surface-dwelling ancestor. They identified a behavioral shift that was advantageous for feeding success in the dark, and linked it to its genetic basis in the fish's lateral line. This is the first time that a clear link has been identified between behavior, genetics and evolution in Mexican blind cavefish.Full Story

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University of Maryland

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