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The evolution of cichlid fish egg-spots is linked with a cis-regulatory change

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  • M. Emília Santos

    (Zoological Institute, University of Basel
    Present address: Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS UMR 5242, 46 Allée d’Italie, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France)

  • Ingo Braasch

    (Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon)

  • Nicolas Boileau

    (Zoological Institute, University of Basel)

  • Britta S. Meyer

    (Zoological Institute, University of Basel
    Present address: Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105 Kiel, Germany)

  • Loïc Sauteur

    (Biozentrum, University of Basel)

  • Astrid Böhne

    (Zoological Institute, University of Basel)

  • Heinz-Georg Belting

    (Biozentrum, University of Basel)

  • Markus Affolter

    (Biozentrum, University of Basel)

  • Walter Salzburger

    (Zoological Institute, University of Basel)

Abstract

The origin of novel phenotypic characters is a key component in organismal diversification; yet, the mechanisms underlying the emergence of such evolutionary novelties are largely unknown. Here we examine the origin of egg-spots, an evolutionary innovation of the most species-rich group of cichlids, the haplochromines, where these conspicuous male fin colour markings are involved in mating. Applying a combination of RNAseq, comparative genomics and functional experiments, we identify two novel pigmentation genes, fhl2a and fhl2b, and show that especially the more rapidly evolving b-paralog is associated with egg-spot formation. We further find that egg-spot bearing haplochromines, but not other cichlids, feature a transposable element in the cis-regulatory region of fhl2b. Using transgenic zebrafish, we finally demonstrate that this region shows specific enhancer activities in iridophores, a type of pigment cells found in egg-spots, suggesting that a cis-regulatory change is causally linked to the gain of expression in egg-spot bearing haplochromines.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Emília Santos & Ingo Braasch & Nicolas Boileau & Britta S. Meyer & Loïc Sauteur & Astrid Böhne & Heinz-Georg Belting & Markus Affolter & Walter Salzburger, 2014. "The evolution of cichlid fish egg-spots is linked with a cis-regulatory change," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:5:y:2014:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms6149
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6149
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    Cited by:

    1. Grégoire Vernaz & Milan Malinsky & Hannes Svardal & Mingliu Du & Alexandra M. Tyers & M. Emília Santos & Richard Durbin & Martin J. Genner & George F. Turner & Eric A. Miska, 2021. "Mapping epigenetic divergence in the massive radiation of Lake Malawi cichlid fishes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Anya Theis & Tania Bosia & Tobias Roth & Walter Salzburger & Bernd Egger, 2015. "Egg-spot pattern and body size asymmetries influence male aggression in haplochromine cichlid fishes," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1512-1519.

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