How do blind cavefish survive their low-oxygen environment?

How do blind cavefish survive their low-oxygen environment?

Source: University of Cincinnati

3/13/2022

How do blind cavefish survive their low-oxygen environment?

Credit: University of Cincinnati

Now researchers at the University of Cincinnati say these incredible fish have an equally remarkable physiology that helps them cope with a low-oxygen environment that would kill other species.

Biologists in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences found that Mexican cavefish produce more hemoglobin through red blood cells that are much larger compared to those of surface-dwelling fish. Hemoglobin helps the body transport oxygen and carbon dioxide between a fish’s cells and organs and its gills.

The study was published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports. It demonstrates how much more there is to learn about animals that have intrigued biologists for 200 years.

“I’ve been fascinated by these fish for a long time,” UC associate professor Joshua Gross said.

Cavefish evolved in caverns around the world. The species UC biologists examined, Astyanax mexicanus, diverged as recently as 20,000 years ago from surface fish still found in nearby streams in Sierra de El Abra, Mexico.

Continue...

News Id		Source	Stamp	country
4501	Humans push a hulking fish with a chainsaw nose towards oblivion	Nature	2021-02-12	US
4502	Disabled fish gets special life jacket made to help him swim	nypost	2021-02-15	UK
4503	Scientists Set Sail To Study Bluefin Tuna Spawning Grounds In The Oil-Tainted Gulf	Underwatertimes	2010-05-19	CA
4504	First As Oregon Man Sentenced For 'In Stream Work', Habitat Alteration; 'Coho Salmon Are A Gift'	Underwatertimes	2010-04-20	US
4505	Salmon may have been too tired to navigate Whitehorse fish ladder, research suggests	CBC News	2021-02-16	CA
4506	Asian carp may be in Lake Michigan	CBC News	2010-03-24	CA
4507	Fish die as Ukrainian authorities empty reservoir	kyiv post	2010-03-16	UA
4508	'Chemical cocktail' caused fish mutations: report	The Sunshine Coast Daily	2010-03-15	AU
4509	Do fish have feelings too? It's a slippery question for science	daily mail	2010-03-08	CA
4510	Canada border now has its own exhibit at the Aquarium of Niagara	WGRZ	2021-02-22	US
4511	Charleston angler lands monster trout from wheelchair	wvgazettemail	2021-02-06	US
4512	Fish Use 'Secret' Ultraviolet Vision To Distinguish Between Species	underwatertimes	2010-02-28	AU
4513	Canal search locates no Asian carp	upi	2010-02-18	US
4514	Amid carp threat, a call to unhook	wsj	2010-02-17	CA
4515	UN Turns To Forensic Science To Help Combat Illegal Fishing; 'We Need To Push The Envelope'	Underwatertimes	2010-02-01	IT
4516	A nature walk on the Oyster River and some non-retention fishing	campbell river mirror	2019-10-11	CA
4517	Catching Pink Salmon	islandfishermanmagazine	2020-08-05	CA
4518	Father-daughter ice fishing on the Bay of Quinte a cherished tradition	The Globe and Mail	2021-02-14	CA
4519	U.S. Retailer Target To Dump Farmed Salmon For Wild Alaska Salmon; 'Incredible Willingness To Challenge Old Paradigms'	Underwatertimes	2010-01-26	US
4520	Grumpy-looking blobfish in danger of being wiped out - see the pictures	Mirror.co.uk	2010-01-25	UK
4521	Fish Boom Makes Splash in Oregon	wsj	2010-01-21	US
4522	White House to hold Asian carp summit	upi	2010-01-21	US
4523	African fish choose safety over sex	CBC News	2010-01-18	CA
4524	More than 200,000 descend on fishing festival to catch trout in a frozen river	daily mail	2010-01-19	UK
4525	Light shed on fish gill mystery	BBC News	2010-01-13	CA

180 of [218 - pages.]