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| Cave Biology Facts |
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Cave Biology Facts:
- Cave vertebrates are excellent models to study the genetics of abnormal eye development and metabolic variation.
- Retinal and lens defects in cave fishes are similar to those seen in humans and to those produced experimentally in the zebrafish development model.
- Karst systems are critical environmental resources; 40% of our drinking water passes through cave and karst systems.
- Cave fishes are sensitive indicators of environmental quality.
- Eye loss in cave fishes is the classic example of regressive evolution, an important phenomenon whose mechanism is still inadequately understood.
- Cave species have evolved independently, but converge towards a common theme. Their study brings the power of experimental replication to evolutionary biology and ecology, a power formerly restricted to laboratory science.
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