The National Science Foundation continues its support of our projects investigating how fishes adapt to toxic, hydrogen sulfide rich environments. We will compare closely related populations that live in adjacent sulfidic or nonsulfidic habitats to identify differences in genetic, biochemical, and physiological traits that underlie tolerance to H2S. To do so, we will identify genetic differences between H2S-tolerant and susceptible populations, particularly in genes associated with pathways affected by H2S toxicity or involved in H2S detoxification. In addition, it will be tested how tolerant and susceptible populations differ in how their mitochondria and whole organisms function in presence or absence of H2S. This project will be conducted in collaboration with Joanna Kelley (Washington State University) and Jennifer Shaw (Oklahoma State University).
Evolution in Extreme Environments
Tobler Lab at the University of Missouri—St. Louis
