A compendium of developmental gene expression in Lake Malawi cichlid fishes.
Lake Malawi cichlids represent one of a growing number of vertebrate models used to uncover the genetic and developmental basis of trait diversity. Rapid evolutionary radiation has resulted in species that share similar genomes but differ markedly in phenotypes including brains and behavior, nuptial coloration and the craniofacial skeleton. Research has begun to identify the genes, as well as the molecular and developmental pathways that underlie trait divergence.



We assemble a compendium of gene expression for Lake Malawi cichlids, across pharyngula (the phylotypic stage) and larval stages of development, encompassing hundreds of gene transcripts. We chart patterns of expression in Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Hedgehog (Hh), Notch and Wingless (Wnt) signaling pathways, as well as genes involved in neurogenesis, calcium and endocrine signaling, stem cell biology, and numerous homeobox (Hox) factors-in three planes using whole-mount in situ hybridization. Because of low sequence divergence across the Malawi cichlid assemblage, the probes we employ are broadly applicable in hundreds of species. We tabulate gene expression across general tissue domains, and highlight examples of unexpected expression patterns.



On the heels of recently published genomes, this compendium of developmental gene expression in Lake Malawi cichlids provides a valuable resource for those interested in the relationship between evolution and development.
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Atlanta, GA, USA.|Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry, Augusta, GA, USA.
R F
RF
Bloomquist
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Atlanta, GA, USA.
T E
TE
Fowler
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Atlanta, GA, USA.
J B
JB
Sylvester
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Atlanta, GA, USA.
R J
RJ
Miro
Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Biological Sciences and Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, Atlanta, GA, USA. todd.streelman@biology.gatech.edu.
J T
JT
Streelman
D000818:Animals; D023681:Cichlids / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D050437:Genes, Developmental / Q000235:genetics*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010641:Phenotype
D029941:Fish Proteins
Cichlid fishes; Developmental pathways; Evolution of gene expression; Lake Malawi