Meeting Abstract

S2-2.4  Wednesday, Jan. 4  Kryptolebias marmoratus, the mangrove rivulus, as a model organism for comparative research BECHLER, D.L.; Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia dbechler@valdosta.edu

Several species of fish, with more in development, are currently being used as models for the study of genetic and evolutionary processes as well as other aspects of biology and biomedical research. In this presentation, the genetics, evolutionary biology, reproductive biology, ecology and behavior of Kryptolebias marmoratus are contrasted with other model fish species that are phylogenetically close to K. marmoratus. From this review and comparison, it is shown that the unique reproductive biology involving self-fertilization resulting in the development of homozygous strains, its unique mating system involving androdioecy, and its ecology and behavior provide opportunities for the study of a wide range of biological questions. As such, comparative studies involving the phenotypic expression of a wide variety of traits using K. marmoratus and other related species will permit researchers to determine critical links between genomic structure and the resultant phenotypic expression.