Journal Article
The first cavefish in the Dinaric Karst? Cave colonization made possible by phenotypic plasticity in Telestes karsticus
Čupić, M., Marčić, Z., Lukić, M., Gračan, R. and Bilandžija, H.
Record Number:
6238
Year:
2023
Journal:
Zoological Research
Pages:
821-833
Volume:
44
Abstract:
Cave animals are an excellent model system for studying
adaptive evolution. At present, however, little is known
about the mechanisms that enable surface colonizers to
survive in the challenging environment of caves. One
possibility is that these species have the necessary genetic
background to respond with plastic changes to the
pressures of underground habitats. To gain insight into this
process, we conducted a comparative study with the fish
species Telestes karsticus, which occurs in a hydrological
system consisting of an interconnected stream and a cave.
Results showed that T. karsticus resided year-round and
spawned in Sušik cave, making it the first known cavefish
in the Dinaric Karst. Cave and surface populations differed
in morphological and physiological characteristics, as well
as in patterns of gene expression without any evidence of
genetic divergence. To test whether observed trait
differences were plastic or genetic, we placed adult fish
from both populations under light/dark or constant dark
conditions. Common laboratory conditions erased all
morphometric differences between the two morphs,
suggesting phenotypic plasticity is driving the divergence
of shape and size in wild fish. Lighter pigmentation and
increased fat deposition exhibited by cave individuals were
also observed in surface fish kept in the dark in the
laboratory. Our study also revealed that specialized cave
traits were not solely attributed to developmental plasticity,
but also arose from adult responses, including
acclimatization. Thus, we conclude that T. karsticus can
adapt to cave conditions, with phenotypic plasticity playing
an important role in the process of cave colonization
Times Cited:
1
Relevent Species:
Related Records:
Marcic, I., Buj, I., Duplic, M., Caleta, M., Mustafic, P., Zanella, D., Zupancic, P. and Mrakov, M. (2011)
A new endemic cyprinid species from the Danube drainage
Ćaleta, M., Buj, I., Mrakovčić, M., Mustafić, P., Zanella, D., Marčić, Z., Duplić, A., Mihinjač, T., Katavić, I. (2015)Endemic fishes of Croatia.
Marčić, Z., Milković, A., Ćaleta, M., Buj, I., Zanella, D. and Mustafić, P. (2017)Reproductive biology of the endemic dace Telestes karsticus Marčić and Mrakovčić, 2011 (Cyprinidae, Leuciscinae), in Croatia
Buj, I., Marčić, Z., Caleta, M., Sanda, R., Geiger, M.F., Freyhof, J., Machordom, A. and Vukić, J. (2017)Ancient connections among the European rivers and watersheds revealed from the evolutionary history of the genus Telestes (Actinopterygii; Cypriniformes).
Buj, I., Marcic, Z., Flauder, E., Šanda, R. and Vukic, J. (2022)Population genetic structure of endemic fish species facilitating their survival in changing environments—A case study on the genus Telestes in Croatia
Čupić, M., Marčić, Z., Lukić, M., Gračan, R. and Bilandžija, H. (2023)The first cavefish in the Dinaric Karst? Cave colonization made possible by phenotypic plasticity in Telestes karsticus