<b>Opsin genes: research perspectives with Neotropical cichlids (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and their relevance in floodplain studies

  • Thomaz Mansini Carrenho Fabrin Universidade Estadual de Maringá
  • Luciano Seraphim Gasques Universidade Paranaense
  • Sonia Maria Alves Pinto Prioli Universidade Estadual de Maringá
  • Alberto José Prioli Universidade Estadual de Maringá
Keywords: ecology, evolution, visual pigments, visual system

Abstract

Vision not only plays an important role in the behavior and exploration capacity of new ecology niches but also influences the evolution of species exposed to the heterogeneity of light. Floodplain environments have high habitat heterogeneity and, thus, different light gradients. Cichlids are a group of vertebrates that has stirred interest in evolutionary studies due to their morphological and behavioral diversity and their widely used vision. The molecular basis of vertebrates’ vision occurs through the interaction of opsin proteins and retinal chromophores. Proteins are expressed by opsin genes where each is responsible for absorbing certain light wavelengths.  Current review analyzes the main characteristics of opsin genes family and the possibility of using them in floodplain and Neotropical cichlids studies. Opsins may have different levels of expression and molecular polymorphisms according to the dispersion of the species. They are also related to such behavior as sexual selection, nourishment and exploration of new habitats. Floodplains are natural experiments and dynamic environments that provide a wide range of habitats. In fact, the integration of studies in floodplains and the opsin genes in Neotropical cichlids seems to be a promising and still unexplored area in Neotropical regions.

 

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Author Biographies

Thomaz Mansini Carrenho Fabrin, Universidade Estadual de Maringá
Doutorando da pós-graduação em Ecologia de Ambientes Aquáticos Continentais. Laboratório de Genética.
Luciano Seraphim Gasques, Universidade Paranaense
Professor titular na Universidade Paranaense. Laboratório de Genética aplicada ao meio ambiente.
Sonia Maria Alves Pinto Prioli, Universidade Estadual de Maringá
Departamento de Biologia, Genética e Biologia Celular e NUPELIA.
Alberto José Prioli, Universidade Estadual de Maringá
NUPELIA
Published
2016-10-24
How to Cite
Fabrin, T. M. C., Gasques, L. S., Prioli, S. M. A. P., & Prioli, A. J. (2016). <b&gt;Opsin genes: research perspectives with Neotropical cichlids (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and their relevance in floodplain studies. Acta Scientiarum. Biological Sciences, 38(2), 241-246. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v38i2.28295
Section
Review

 

0.6
2019CiteScore
 
 
31st percentile
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0.6
2019CiteScore
 
 
31st percentile
Powered by  Scopus