Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2011
Capstone Advisor
Dr. R. Craig Albertson
Honors Reader
Dr. William T. Starmer
Capstone Major
Biology
Capstone College
Arts and Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
yes
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Biology | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Abstract
This study attempts to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pigmentation patterns among Lake Malawi cichlids. For decades researchers have sought to provide a theoretical model of cichlid speciation based on the evolution of male nuptial patterns and female preferences, yet our understanding of how color patterns change is limited. Here, we performed exploratory statistical analyses on an F2 hybrid population to characterize the inheritance of color traits. Specifically, we sought to uncover patterns of modularity and levels of integration among color traits. Because cichlids are sexually dimorphic we did our analyses on males and females separately. We found that although males and females share a common pattern of modularity, the level of trait integration is stronger in females. We hypothesize that sex-specific levels of trait integration may be a means by which the cichlid system overcame sexual conflict associated with the need for males to be flashy and females to remain cryptic. As a result of this innovation, species-level diversity based on male nuptial coloration could explode to the levels we see today.
Recommended Citation
Roscoe, Jennifer, "Modular Inheritance of Color Pattern in Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes" (2011). Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All. 262.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/262
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
