Phylogeny, genetic variability and colour polymorphism of an emerging animal model: The short-lived annual Nothobranchius fishes from southern Mozambique

Dorn, Alexander; Ng’oma, Enoch; Janko, Karel; Reichwald, Kathrin; Polačik, Matěj; Platzer, Matthias; Cellerino, Alessandro; Reichard, Martin

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.06.010

Cited by 48 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Their diversification is apparently exclusively allopatric [68], [69], but up to four species of Nothobranchius co-occur syntopically in the same pools as a result of secondary sympatry [17], [53]. All species of Nothobranchius show sexual dimorphism, with larger and colourful males and smaller and less coloured females [17], [70].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otoliths of Five Extant Species of the Annual Killifish Nothobranchius from the East African Savannah

Reichenbacher

Reichard

2014

PLoS ONE

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This study presents, for the first time, a comprehensive dataset that documents the range of inter- and intraspecific otolith variation in aplocheiloid killifish, based on a total of 86 individuals representing five extant species of Nothobranchius PETERS, 1868, from East Africa: the sympatric pairs N. rubripinnis SEEGERS, 1986 and N. ruudwildekampi COSTA, 2009 (Eastern Tanzania), and N. orthonotus (PETERS, 1844) and N. furzeri JUBB, 1971 (Southern Mozambique), and two isolated populations of N. korthausae MEINKEN, 1973 (Eastern Tanzania). Otolith characters were analysed based on SEM images, and otolith morphometry was conducted using uni- and multivariate statistics. Two ancient clades of probably Early to Middle Miocene age in eastern Tanzania and southern Mozambique can be recognized based on otolith morphologies, which is consistent with previous work based on molecular data. The distinctive sulcus morphologies in the otoliths of sympatric species may be linked to species-specific hearing capabilities, perhaps constituting a case of character displacement in an area of secondary sympatry. The otoliths of the studied species of Nothobranchius are diagnostic at the species level, even in the case of closely related species diagnosable otherwise only by minor differences in coloration. The two populations of N. korthausae also displayed some differences in their otolith characters. The new data may facilitate future recognition of fossil species of Nothobranchius. As no fossil remains of extant aplocheiloid killifishes have yet been described, the discovery of fossil otoliths of Nothobranchius would significantly advance understanding of the evolutionary history of this interesting group of fishes.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Otoliths of Five Extant Species of the Annual Killifish Nothobranchius from the East African Savannah

Reichenbacher

Reichard

2014

PLoS ONE

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“…The Nothobranchius furzeri strain MZCS-08/122 originates from Southern Mozambique (Dorn et al, 2011) and was used for all experiments described herein. Fish were kept at 26 6 1 C on a 12 hr: 12 hr light: dark cycle.…”

Section: Experimental Procedures Fish Husbandrymentioning

confidence: 99%

A microinjection protocol for the generation of transgenic killifish (Species: Nothobranchius furzeri)

Hartmann

Englert

2012

Developmental Dynamics

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Background: A challenge in age research is the absence of short-lived vertebrate model organisms. The turquoise killifish Nothobranchius furzeri has an exceptionally short lifespan of 4-10 months depending on the strain. Thus, it possesses the shortest known maximum lifespan of a vertebrate species that can be bred in captivity. Results: Here we show the successful introduction of DNA and RNA molecules into the one-cell embryo of N. furzeri. For this purpose, we adapted existing microinjection protocols to inject through the remarkably thick and robust chorion of N. furzeri's eggs. The injected DNA transgene was integrated into the genome and transmitted to subsequent generations as indicated by the expression of the fluorophore enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Furthermore, we could confirm a special phase during embryonic development in which embryogenesis occurs within a re-aggregated mass of previously dispersed cells as it has been described for other related cyprinodont fish species. Conclusions: The transgenesis protocol described here provides a basis for a variety of genetic manipulations including overexpression of genes and determining their effects on lifespan and longevity. The feasibility to perform transgenesis is an important step to establish N. furzeri as a new model in age research.

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“…This region (defined by the costal drainages south of the Limpopo and Incomati basins in the south and the extended Zambezi delta in the north) corresponds with the distribution of three well‐separated clades of Nothobranchius (Bartáková, Reichard, Blažek, Polačik, & Bryja, 2015; Dorn et al., 2011). The ranges of the three clades overlap (Bartáková et al., 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The F‐clade (Bartáková et al., 2015; Dorn et al., 2011) consists of two morphologically well‐defined species, Nothobranchius furzeri Jubb and Nothobranchius kadleci Reichard (Reichard, 2010). The R‐clade (Bartáková et al., 2015; Dorn et al., 2011) contains Nothobranchius pienaari Shidlovskiy, Wildekamp, Watters, Nothobranchius krysanovi Shidlovskiy, Wildekamp, Watters and Nothobranchius rachovii Ahl (Shidlovskiy, Watters, & Wildekamp, 2010). Phylogeographic analysis of all three complexes, based on nuclear and mitochondrial genetic markers, has revealed strong spatial structure of populations, indicative of very low dispersal ability (Bartáková et al., 2013, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community assembly inNothobranchiusannual fishes: Nested patterns, environmental niche and biogeographic history

Reichard

Janáč

Polačik

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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The assembly of local communities from regional species pools is shaped by historical aspects of distribution, environmental conditions, and biotic interactions. We studied local community assembly patterns in African annual killifishes of the genus Nothobranchius (Cyprinodontiformes), investigating data from 168 communities across the entire range of regionally co‐existing species. Nothobranchius are small fishes associated with annually desiccating pools. We detected a nested pattern of local communities in one region (Southern Mozambique, with Nothobranchius furzeri as the core and dominant species), but no nestedness was found in the second region (Central Mozambique, with Nothobranchius orthonotus being the dominant species). A checkerboard pattern of local Nothobranchius community assembly was demonstrated in both regions. Multivariate environmental niche modeling revealed moderate differences in environmental niche occupancy between three monophyletic clades that largely co‐occurred geographically and greater differences between strictly allopatric species within the clades. Most variation among species was observed along an altitudinal gradient; N. furzeri and Nothobranchius kadleci were absent from coastal plains, Nothobranchius pienaari, Nothobranchius rachovii, and Nothobranchius krysanovi were associated with lower altitude and N. orthonotus was intermediate and geographically most widespread species. We discuss implications for ecological and evolutionary research in this taxon.

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Phylogeny, genetic variability and colour polymorphism of an emerging animal model: The short-lived annual Nothobranchius fishes from southern Mozambique

Cited by 48 publications

References 40 publications

Otoliths of Five Extant Species of the Annual Killifish Nothobranchius from the East African Savannah

Otoliths of Five Extant Species of the Annual Killifish Nothobranchius from the East African Savannah

A microinjection protocol for the generation of transgenic killifish (Species: Nothobranchius furzeri)

Community assembly inNothobranchiusannual fishes: Nested patterns, environmental niche and biogeographic history

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