01297nas a2200181   4500008004100000245007400041210006900115300001400184490000800198520073000206100002200936700001600958700001600974700001700990700002101007700002501028856006201053       2011                        eng d00aBrain Evolution Triggers Increased Diversification of Electric Fishes0 aBrain Evolution Triggers Increased Diversification of Electric F  a583–5860 v3323 a<p>Communication can contribute to the evolution of biodiversity by promoting speciation and reinforcing reproductive isolation between existing species. The evolution of species-specific signals depends on the ability of individuals to detect signal variation, which in turn relies on the capability of the brain to process signal information. Here, we show that evolutionary change in a region of the brain devoted to the analysis of communication signals in mormyrid electric fishes improved detection of subtle signal variation and resulted in enhanced rates of signal evolution and species diversification. These results show that neural innovations can drive the diversification of signals and promote speciation.</p>
1 aCarlson, Bruce, A1 aHasan, S, M1 aHollmann, M1 aMiller, D, B1 aHarmon, Luke, J.1 aArnegard, Matthew, E  uhttp://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/doi/10.1126/science.120152402316nas a2200157   4500008004100000022001400041245010500055210006900160260001200229300001400241490000700255520178100262100002202043700002302065856007002088       2013                        eng d  a1563-526000aFrom Sequence to Spike to Spark: Evo-devo-neuroethology of Electric Communication in Mormyrid Fishes0 aFrom Sequence to Spike to Spark Evodevoneuroethology of Electric  c09/2013  a106 - 1290 v273 a<p>Mormyrid fishes communicate using pulses of electricity, conveying information about their identity, behavioral state, and location. They have long been used as neuroethological model systems because they are uniquely suited to identifying cellular mechanisms for behavior. They are also remarkably diverse, and they have recently emerged as a model system for studying how communication systems may influence the process of speciation. These two lines of inquiry have now converged, generating insights into the neural basis of evolutionary change in behavior, as well as the influence of sensory and motor systems on behavioral diversification and speciation. Here, we review the mechanisms of electric signal generation, reception, and analysis and relate these to our current understanding of the evolution and development of electromotor and electrosensory systems. We highlight the enormous potential of mormyrids for studying evolutionary developmental mechanisms of behavioral diversification, and make the case for developing genomic and transcriptomic resources. A complete mormyrid genome sequence would enable studies that extend our understanding of mormyrid behavior to the molecular level by linking morphological and physiological mechanisms to their genetic basis. Applied in a comparative framework, genomic resources would facilitate analysis of evolutionary processes underlying mormyrid diversification, reveal the genetic basis of species differences in behavior, and illuminate the origins of a novel vertebrate sensory and motor system. Genomic approaches to studying the evo-devo-neuroethology of mormyrid communication represent a deeply integrative approach to understanding the evolution, function, development, and mechanisms of behavior.</p>
1 aCarlson, Bruce, A1 aGallant, Jason, R.  uhttp://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/01677063.2013.799670