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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
06:42
Raising the Mexican Tetra Astyanax mexicanus for Analysis of Post-larval Phenotypes and Whole-mount Immunohistochemistry
Published on: December 28, 2018
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Enteric neural crest development in Astyanax mexicanus surface fish and cavefish
Pavani Ponnimbaduge Perera1, Kaitlyn Webster2, Misty R Riddle1
1University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, USA.
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|June 24, 2025
Summary
The enteric nervous system (ENS) develops faster in cavefish compared to surface fish, suggesting evolutionary adaptation. This study uses Astyanax mexicanus to model ENS development and evolution.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The enteric nervous system (ENS) controls gastrointestinal functions.
- Dietary adaptations' impact on ENS evolution is not well understood.
- Astyanax mexicanus morphotypes provide a model for studying adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare early ENS development in surface and cavefish.
- To investigate the genetic basis for differences in ENS development.
- To establish Astyanax mexicanus as a model for ENS evolution.
Main Methods:
- Tracking enteric neural crest cell (ENCC) migration and differentiation using phox2bb and HuC/D markers.
- Comparing genomic data for genes involved in ENS development.
- Examining endothelin signaling gene expression (edn3 and ednrba).
Main Results:
- ENCCs reached the gut by 36 hours post-fertilization in both morphotypes.
- Cavefish showed more rapid ENCC migration and differentiation along the gut.
- Endothelin-3 (edn3) localization suggests a role in ENS development.
Conclusions:
- Astyanax mexicanus exhibits differential ENS development between morphotypes.
- Genetic variations, potentially in endothelin signaling, underlie these differences.
- This species is a valuable model for studying the evolution of ENS development.
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