Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Keene, Alex

Abstract

Adaptation to any environment through the course of its evolution involves the alteration of multiple traits to ensure survival, Astyanax mexicanus is a notable example of this. Some of the most notable differences between the surface and cave populations are loss of pigmentation, decreased sleep, and reduced eyes. 208 surface – cave F2 hybrids were assessed for several morphological and behavioral phenotypes. There were significant differences found between pigmented and albino individuals, raising the question of a shared genetic basis for these traits. Oculocutaneous albinism 2 (oca2) is a notable contributor to albinism in many species, including A. mexicanus. Surface fish with CRISPR mutations at oca2 confirmed a contribution of oca2 in sleep loss within albino cavefish. Further, it was determined that oca2 is under selection and possibly has a pleiotropic function, which underlies the adaptive evolution of sleep loss and albinism.

Extent

45 p.

Comments

Includes bibliography.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.

Identifier

FA00013619

Format

pdf

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