Genetics and hybridization in surface and cave Astyanax (Teleostei): a comparison of regressive and constructive traits

Change in ecological conditions, as seen in surface and cave populations of Astyanax (Teleostei), has caused the divergent evolution of a large number of traits like eyes, coloration, taste, lateral line, and different kinds of behaviour like schooling, sleep or feeding posture. Because of the interfertility of surface and cave forms these fish are an exceptional object to study the morphological and genetic basis of the evolution of such complex regressive and constructive traits. Classical crossing analyses and genomic studies are contributing to growing understanding. Both kinds of traits mostly rely on multiple genetic bases and the phenotypic manifestation in the various crosses is similar. The gene effect underlying the phenotypic manifestation may exhibit an exponential increase at differing amounts in the various traits and crosses. Missing or presence of such genetic interaction helps determine whether the variability of eyes or pigmentation exhibited by Astyanax cave fish populations like Micos, is due to a more recent origin or to secondary hybridization with the surface fish. Neither crossing analysis nor QTL mapping revealed that eye reduction is pleiotropically antagonistically related to the increase of taste buds or lateral line sense. Independent inheritance of traits suggests that Astyanax cave fish are subjected to mosaic evolution.