Curiosity Drives Evolutionary Diversity in Fishes

Photo byPhoto by Rachel Hisko on Unsplash

Curiosity is not just a human trait—it is a fundamental force driving biodiversity in the animal kingdom, as demonstrated by a recent study on cichlid fish in Lake Tanganyika, Zambia. These fish, known for their remarkable speciation, exemplify how exploratory behaviour can lead to the evolution of diverse species over millions of years.

Cichlid fish in East Africa, especially those in Lake Tanganyika, have evolved approximately 2,000 species in the last 100,000 years. Their adaptations in body shape, colouration, and feeding behaviours have allowed them to exploit various ecological niches, minimizing competition and promoting speciation.

An international team of researchers, led by researchers from the University of Basel, studied 57 cichlid species to understand how exploratory behaviour influences adaptation to different habitats. They found significant variations in exploratory behaviour among species through extensive video recordings and genetic analysis. Fish with more exploratory tendencies tended to inhabit near-shore areas and exhibited bulkier body shapes than those preferring open water.

Genetic analysis revealed a specific DNA variant correlated with exploratory behaviour. Fish carrying a "T" allele at this site showed higher curiosity levels, while those with a "C" allele displayed less. Using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, researchers induced mutations in this genetic region, altering fish behaviour to enhance or reduce curiosity.

Interestingly, the genetic variant linked to exploratory behaviour in cichlids parallels variants associated with human psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, highlighting potential cross-species insights into personality traits.

The study underscores the role of behaviour in driving evolutionary processes, offering new genetic insights into how curiosity shapes biodiversity. By studying animal behaviour, researchers aim to understand better the foundations of both animal and human personality traits, offering potential insights into broader evolutionary and psychological processes.