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Cited by 41Developmental Biology and Gene RegulationMorphological variations and asymmetryAnimal Behavior and Reproduction

Genetic and developmental origins of a unique foraging adaptation in a Lake Malawi cichlid genus

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Conith, Moira R., Hu, Yinan, Conith, Andrew J., Maginnis, Maura A., Webb, Jacqueline F., Albertson, R. Craig·2018·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DOI 10.1073/pnas.1719798115PMC PMC6142203
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Abstract

Significance: Biologists have long been captivated by novel traits because they provide insights into both the origin of and constraints on morphological variation. The iconic adaptive radiations of cichlid fishes have led to incredible diversity of form, including some species with an exaggerated snout. This novelty is mechanically integrated with the upper jaw, appears to be under directional selection, and is found in one of the most ecologically successful cichlid lineages. We used protein manipulation, gene expression, and genetic mapping to implicate the Tgfβ pathway in the development of this unusual trait. Given the functions of Tgfβ signaling in tissue proliferation, migration, invasion, and organ fibrosis, this represents an example of the cooption of existing pathways in the evolution of novelty.

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  • In Labeotropheus, the snout is sexually monomorphic and functions as a trophic adaptation to efficiently leverage algae from rocks.

    “where it is sexually monomorphic and functions as a trophic adaptation to efficiently leverage algae from rocks”

    From Parallel molecular mechanisms underlie convergent evolution of the exaggerated snout phenotype in East African cichlids (2022) · cites this paper as Conith et al. 2018

    The introductory passage (page unavailable) says the Labeotropheus snout has been postulated to act as a fulcrum for cropping algae from rocks by leverage. The Results and Discussion likewise describes a more efficient foraging mechanism as a speculation, not an established function. Our copy does not establish that the snout is sexually monomorphic. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The cichlid snout flap has been studied at the molecular level only in the genus Labeotropheus from Lake Malawi.

    “The cichlid snout flap has been studied at the molecular level only in the genus Labeotropheus from Lake Malawi”

    From Parallel molecular mechanisms underlie convergent evolution of the exaggerated snout phenotype in East African cichlids (2022) · cites this paper as Conith et al. 2018

    The Results and Discussion section on the genetic basis of snout size reports molecular analyses of the exaggerated snout in Labeotropheus, and the Methods identify the fish as originating from Lake Malawi. The paper does not establish that molecular studies of cichlid snout flaps have been conducted only in this genus. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • In Labeotropheus, the snout is evident histologically by the time the yolk is absorbed and exogenous feeding occurs, about 1 month post-fertilization.

    “In Labeotropheus , the snout is evident histologically by the time the yolk is absorbed and exogenous feeding occurs (~1 month post-fertilization)”

    From Parallel molecular mechanisms underlie convergent evolution of the exaggerated snout phenotype in East African cichlids (2022) · cites this paper as Conith et al. 2018

    The Methods > Histology section reports histological examination of Labeotropheus snouts at 1.5 cm standard length, when the snout is first apparent at a gross morphological level. It does not link that stage to yolk absorption, the onset of exogenous feeding, or approximately one month post-fertilization; searches for those terms found no such passage. Page numbers were unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Tgfβ plays an important role in the early development of the flapped snout structure in cichlids.

    “a transcription factor that is also playing an important role in the early development of the flapped snout structure in cichlids (Conith et al. 2018).”

    From Parallel molecular mechanisms underlie convergent evolution of the exaggerated snout phenotype in East African cichlids (2022) · cites this paper as Conith et al. 2018

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Authors
Conith, M. R., Hu, Y., Conith, A. J., Maginnis, M. A., Webb, J. F., & Albertson, R. C.
Affiliations
  • University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
  • Boston College (US)
  • University of Rhode Island (US)
Corresponding author
Albertson, R. Craig
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Published
2018-06-18
Volume
115
Issue
27
Pages
7063-7068
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
DOI
10.1073/pnas.1719798115
PMC
PMC6142203
OpenAlex
W2808526928
Cited by
41
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1
FWCI
1.69
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Journal of Media Literacy Education (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
Funders
NSF | BIO | Division of Integrative Organismal Systems (1054909)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Geometry and Topology › Morphological variations and asymmetry
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Keywords
foraging adaptation, Lake Malawi cichlids, TGFβ signaling pathway, adaptive radiation, gene expression, gene mapping, protein manipulation, jaw development, morphological evolution
MeSH terms
ADAM12 Protein, Adaptation, Physiological, Animals, Malawi, Transforming Growth Factor beta, Cichlids, Fish Proteins, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors, Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins, Lakes

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