Exploring the effect of the development on the evolution of skin pigmentation patterning in African Cichlids

The relative influence of natural selection versus developmental bias in shaping evolutionary outcomes remains a central unresolved question in evolutionary biology. Here, we aim to investigate the role of development in the evolution of egg-spot patterning in cichlids. By developing a computational model, we will be able to simulate evolutionary processes such as mutation and selection. In parallel, we will use phylogenetic methods to analyse historic evolutionary transitions between different types of patterning. Comparing the simulation results to the outcomes of the phylogenetic analysis will allow us to disentangle the relative influence of natural selection versus developmental bias in shaping the diversity of patterning observed in cichlids. This approach will also generate testable hypotheses on how developmental programs have been modified to produce different phenotypes over evolutionary time.
This project relates to the following BBSRC priority areas:
1. Systems approaches to the biosciences.
2. Technology development for the biosciences.
3. Data-driven biology.