Anemonefish, a model for Eco-Evo-Devo

Abstract

Anemonefish, are a group of about 30 species of damselfish (Pomacentridae) that have long aroused the interest of coral reef fish ecologists. Combining a series of original biological traits and practical features in their breeding that are described in this paper, anemonefish are now emerging as an experimental system of interest for developmental biology, ecology and evolutionary sciences. They are small sized and relatively easy to breed in specific husbandries, unlike the large-sized marine fish used for aquaculture. Because they live in highly structured social groups in sea anemones, anemonefish allow addressing a series of relevant scientific questions such as the social control of growth and sex change, the mechanisms controlling symbiosis, the establishment and variation of complex color patterns, and the regulation of aging. Combined with the use of behavioral experiments, that can be performed in the lab or directly in the wild, as well as functional genetics and genomics, anemonefish provide an attractive experimental system for Eco-Evo-Devo.

Variation on a theme: pigmentation variants and mutants of anemonefish

“…Anemonefishes (subfamily Amphiprioninae) are a monophyletic group within the Pomacentridae (damselfish) family, comprising 30 species in two genera: Amphiprion (29 species) and Premnas (monospecific) [ 54 ]. They are well known for their ability to establish mutualistic symbiotic relationships with sea anemones and their brilliant color patterns have been proposed to be either a social display allowing species recognition [ 58 ] or an aposematic trait warning of harmful stings from their host [ 36 ].…”

“…If these conservation issues are seriously taken, it must be emphasized that aquaculture trade anemonefish mutants offer a great entry point to better understand the genetics and development of complex and polymorphic pigmentation patterns. Anemonefish can be raised easily in laboratory husbandry systems and are open to developmental and genetic manipulation [ 38 , 54 ] as well as to genomic analyses [ 54 ]. Therefore, identifying the genes affected in various mutants, manipulating them in laboratory environments, testing the effect of these mutations in the complex social system of captive anemonefish colonies, and studying the polymorphism and evolutionary patterns of these genes in wild populations will certainly shed light on how and why brilliant pigmentation patterns emerged in coral reef fishes.…”

A star is born again: Methods for larval rearing of an emerging model organism, the False clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris

“…Nevertheless, a group of marine fishes has received special attention over the past decade: The anemonefishes. The potentialities of anemonefishes as models for Eco‐Evo‐Devo have been recently reviewed (Roux et al, 2020). Their remarkable biological traits such as sex changes, symbiotic relationships with sea anemones, social organization, and sound production, have meant they have been the subject of many studies in recent years.…”

“…Such studies have addressed scientific questions spanning multiple disciplines such as ecology, developmental biology, and evolutionary sciences (Abdullah & Saad, 2015; Buston, 2003; Dixson et al, 2014; Litsios et al, 2012; Marcionetti et al, 2019; Mebs, 2009; Sahm et al, 2019). With the potential for use in behavioral experiments that can be performed in the lab or directly in the wild, or in functional genetics and genomic studies, these fishes undoubtedly provide an attractive marine model for Eco‐Evo‐Devo as well as for eco‐toxicological studies (reviewed in Roux et al, 2020). Toxicological studies are primarily concerned with investigating the effects of various chemicals and their compounds on organisms or conducting functional studies to enhance our understanding of a biological process.…”

The real Nemo movie: Description of embryonic development inAmphiprion ocellarisfrom first division to hatching

“…[17][18][19] In our lab, we are working to develop the false clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris as a marine teleost fishes model system. 20 Living in symbiotic association with giant sea anemones, this species is native to the Indo-West Pacific region from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan to northwestern Australia. Like most coral reef fishes, A ocellaris have a biphasic life cycle with a dispersive oceanic phase and a more sedentary reef phase (Figure 1).…”