Fish serve as fascinating models in scientific research, offering valuable insights across various fields such as genetics, toxicology, developmental biology, and environmental studies. Among the diverse species studied, zebrafish, fathead minnow, carp, Japanese medaka, guppies, and bluegills stand out for their unique characteristics and contributions to scientific exploration.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Zebrafish is a small freshwater fish from India and Southeast Asia that have garnered immense attention in scientific research due to their transparency during early development, which allows direct observation of internal processes. Their rapid reproduction, fast organogenesis, and genetic similarity to humans make them ideal for studying developmental biology, genetics, physiology, and disease mechanisms. Zebrafish have aided in understanding gene function, organ development, and modeling human diseases like cancer or neurological disorders. This organism is also widely used for ecotoxicological studies for assessing pollution in aquatic environments.
Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas)
As a freshwater species native to North America, fathead minnows serve as vital indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. Their sensitivity to environmental changes, especially to water contaminants, makes them invaluable in toxicology studies. Researchers use them to assess the effects of pollutants on aquatic life and to develop strategies for environmental conservation.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Carp, a widely distributed freshwater fish, has been instrumental in exploring physiological adaptations to varying environments. They have been used for studying their resilience to low oxygen levels and their ability to thrive in diverse habitats. Carp research contributes to understanding the impacts of climate change and pollution on aquatic ecosystems.
Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Japanese medaka’s small size, transparent embryos, and fast reproduction make them excellent models for developmental biology, genetics, and environmental studies. Their ability to adapt to a wide range of salinity levels has led to investigations on osmoregulation and adaptation to changing water conditions.
Guppies (Poecilia reticulata)
Guppies, native to Central and South America, are known for their remarkable reproductive biology, particularly sexual selection, and mate choice. Studying guppies' helps in understanding evolutionary processes, behavior, and the genetic basis of traits. They also serve as models for studying diseases, such as parasitic infections, and their impacts on ecosystems.
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
Bluegills, common in North American freshwater systems, contribute to research in ecology, behavior, and fisheries management. They are studied for their social behaviors, population dynamics, and responses to environmental changes, providing insights into ecosystem health and management strategies.
The collective contributions of these fish species to scientific research underscore their importance as model organisms. Their diverse characteristics, from genetic similarity to humans to their adaptability to various environments, offer scientists valuable tools to explore fundamental biological processes and address pressing environmental and health challenges. As technology advances, these fish models will continue to play an integral role in advancing scientific knowledge and improving human and environmental well-being. Among their unique characteristics stand out the transparency of some of them in the larval stage together with the advantage of using embryos and larvae as an in vivo New Alternative Models (NAMs), as they are not considered experimentation animals until some days post fertilization (dpf). Therefore, these organisms offer an incomparable balance between numerous benefits and low operational costs, fulfilling the 3Rs Principle (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) and providing unique possibilities compared to other organisms.
Understanding fish biology aids in conservation efforts by assessing population dynamics, studying habitat preferences, and evaluating the impact of environmental changes on various species making them an asset for ecotoxicological assays.
Fish serve as invaluable models in scientific research across numerous fields due to their genetic proximity to humans, ease of study, and diverse biological characteristics. From understanding development to diseases and environmental responses, the using fish as model organisms continues to provide crucial insights that contribute to advancements in many scientific domains.
Their contribution to our understanding of fundamental biological processes and their relevance to human health and the environment underscores the importance of these aquatic creatures in scientific research. As technology and methodologies advance, the significance of fish models in scientific exploration is expected to grow, offering new avenues for Innovation and Discovery.
References:
Gong, Zhiyuan., & Korzh, Vladimir. (2004). Fish development and genetics [electronic resource] : the zebrafish and medaka models. World Scientific Pub. Krishnan, J., & Rohner, N. (2019). Sweet fish: Fish models for the study of hyperglycemia and diabetes. Journal of Diabetes, 11(3), 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-0407.12860
Choi, T.-Y., Choi, T.-I., Lee, Y.-R., Choe, S.-K., & Kim, C.-H. (2021). Zebrafish as an animal model for biomedical research. Experimental & Molecular Medicine, 53(3), 310–317. https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-021-00571-5
Hirata, Hiromi., & Iida, Atsuo. (Eds.). (2018). Zebrafish, Medaka, and Other Small Fishes [electronic resource] : New Model Animals in Biology, Medicine, and Beyond (1st ed. 2018.). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1879-5
