Zebra Fish Dennon Tillman Morgan Montana

History of the Zebrafish Zebrafish, Danio rerio, are freshwater fish that were originally found in slow streams and rice paddies and in the Ganges River in East India and Burma.

Zebrafish eat smaller living organisms than themselves and in the wild, they are eaten by bigger fish, small amphibians, mammals, or birds. They are relatively low on the food chain.

Zebrafish Information In the early 1970's, a scientist at the University of Oregon by the name of Dr. George Streisinger determined that the zebrafish is a wonderful model for studying vertebrate development and genetics.Dr. George Streisinger

Because zebrafish are more closely related to humans, they are more likely to be similar to them in many biological traits. These biological traits would include genes, developmental processes, anatomy, physiology, and behaviors.

Features of the zebrafish strongly favor studying embryology, the study of embryos, and collecting and analyzing mutations and comparing them to other vertebrates. There are invertebrates that are equally or better suited for these types of studies, but they have very different anatomy patterns of development.

Current Research There is much research going into the Zebrafish. Zebrafish -- like rats and fruit flies before them -- are becoming regular contributors on research ranging from cancer to cocaine addiction. For example, zebrafish were used a landmark 2005 study that led scientists to the human gene that regulates skin color.

For example, zebrafish were used in a landmark 2005 study that led scientists to the human gene that regulates skin color. Zebrafish studies also explore one of the major unexplained areas in developmental biology; how the brain and central nervous system develop.

Interesting Facts Female zebrafish have slightly bigger bellies than males because they need a pouch for when they have babies. Female fish can drop hundreds of babies between 2-3 days. Zebrafish babies still need their father’s sperm after they are born to go through many other stages of embryonic development.

As the eggs are being laid, they remain transparent, which is an important characteristic. All major organs are developed within 36 hours of being dropped. Hatching occurs within hours after being combined with the father’s sperm at the bottom of the tank. The sex of a zebrafish can only be determined through dissection.

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