Genetic Mutation and "deadbeat dad" fish

 In the article, researchers observed a new behavior in a particular species of fish. Usually the female fish carry the fish eggs in their mouths but for the first time, the researcher observed a male fish carrying the eggs. The purpose of carrying the eggs is to keep them safe until the fish can survive on their own. The female fish will do this for two weeks at a time and causes much stress to the mothers since they have to go two weeks without eating. There is a pheromone released by the female fish which is said to signal to the dad to avoid retrieving the eggs after they have been laid. However, a mutation in the males stopped them from sensing the pheromone thus they ended up retrieving the eggs to keep them safe. However, this could be detrimental to the species because instead of the males mating with other females they are busy taking care of the eggs which is decreasing the amount of offspring they could be having.

This information makes me question if a similar study could occur in humans. Humans also produce pheromones so I wonder if there are any similar scenarios to the fish that we are unaware of. I think its amazing how many discoveries have occurred within genetics for traits and behaviors that I did not even know could be affected. 

The Black Chafer Beetle Likes to Take Every Other Day Off, Must Be Nice.

Many animals including ourselves follow a 24 hours cycle of gene expression. It aligns with daytime and nighttime cycles and allows most animals to specialize certain tasks at certain times of day; hunting at night, waking at dawn, etc. A new study in current biology discusses the black chafer beetle, and it's odd 48-hour rhythm.

These beetles hide in ground during daytime and emerge at night, but only every other night when they search for food and a mate. This schedule was found to be driven by both sexes through a complimentary mechanism. Every 48 hours the females have a boost in pheromone production. By observing the male beetles RNA, it was possible to discover that production of an odor receptor compatible with this pheromone also spikes every 48 hours.

It is interesting to know this is the only example of a "double-time" circadian rhythm in an animal that we've observed thus far. Although this does not compare to the 17 year hibernation of some cicaida's.

https://biology.ucdavis.edu/news/beetle-date-night-comes-every-other-day#:~:text=A%20new%20study%2C%20published%20Jan,release%20pheromones%20to%20attract%20males.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/unraveling-the-secrets-of-this-weird-beetles-48-hour-clock/

Posted by Michael Breslin