Testing the Cavefish Model: An Organism-focused Theory of Testing the Cavefish Model: An Organism-focused Theory of Biological Design Biological Design | The Institute for Creation Research

 
Testing the Cavefish Model: An Organism-focused Theory of Testing the Cavefish Model: An Organism-focused Theory of Biological Design Biological Design

by Michael J. Boyle, Ph.D., Brian Thomas, Ph.D., Jeffrey P. Tomkins, Ph.D., and Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D.

In Proceedings of the International Conference on Creationism. 9: 120-143, article 17.

Abstract

The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) is performing controlled experiments to test the response of an organism to different environmental conditions. The animal model is Astyanax mexicanus (Mexican tetra), a freshwater fish with two well-differentiated, interfertile morphotypes: eyed surface-dwelling fish (surface fish) with a distinct pigmentation pattern, and eyeless cave-dwelling fish (cavefish) with minimal pigmentation. For this research, we have established and equipped a new biology laboratory to investigate the mechanisms and process of adaptation in this model. Preliminary results from experiments with mature adult A. mexicanus include the following: (1) Cavefish increase pigmentation across their body when exposed to high-intensity light; (2) Cavefish exhibit behavioral and physiological acclimation to high CO2 (low pH) water; (3) Surface fish decrease pigmentation across their body and labor during respiration in high CO2 (low pH) water; (4) Adult cavefish and surface fish respond to experimental treatments within weeks of treatment; and (5) Responses to treatments by both morphotypes are not limited to multigenerational genetic inheritance. The first result implies that UV light may stimulate melanosome production in adult cavefish through biochemical induction of a latent melanin synthesis pathway. Second, pre-acclimation by cavefish to acidic water chemistry likely reflects conditions within their native cave environments. Third, the comparative loss of pigmentation and associated respiratory challenges in adult surface fish exposed to darkness and high CO2 (low pH) suggest they actively self-adjust. And in contrast to cavefish, non-acclimated surface fish indicate they are outside of their native environment. The significance of this research is multifaceted. At the 8th ICC, Guliuzza and Gaskill (2018) introduced a novel paradigm: Continuous Environmental Tracking (CET). This model infers that organisms actively and continuously track conditions within specific environments to self-adjust through internal mechanisms that integrate molecular, biochemical, cellular, physiological and behavioral functionality of the whole organism. These mechanisms are predicted to operate by the same integrative principles that govern human-engineered control systems, suggesting that fish and other animals make highly-regulated responses in order to compensate for changes in external conditions that may exceed their routine efforts to maintain homeostasis. Moreover, the model also predicts that organisms can modify the course of their development; that adaptive larval and adult traits are sometimes reversible; that epigenetic modifications are heritable across multiple generations; and that common phenotypic traits will be observed among a diversity of organisms living in similar environments. Our predictions are testable.

Click here to read the full article text.

The Latest
NEWS
Microscopic Ingenuity: Stentor and the Case for Intelligent Design
What if the smallest creatures held the biggest clues to life’s design? A 2025study in Nature Physics investigates the remarkable behaviors of...

CREATION PODCAST
Dr. Jeff Tomkins | A Scientist's Journey to Creationism | The...
ICR’s science staff have spent more than 50 years researching scientific evidence that refutes evolutionary philosophy...

NEWS
Early Fish Evolution?
The discovery of a new species of a plant or animal would probably not spark much excitement to the non-scientist. But in this case, the conditions...

NEWS
Make Plans to Attend Our Estate Planning Workshop at the Discovery...
Did you know that up to 75% of Americans over 18 have no retirement or estate plans? Don’t wait to prepare for the future. Join us on Saturday, October...

NEWS
Fossil Confusion in Ethiopia: Are Evolutionary Trees Built on...
A new study published in Nature describes the discovery of 13 fossilized teeth from the Ledi-Geraru site in Ethiopia. They have been dated to between...

NEWS
The Only Mesozoic Dragonfly in Canada—Is a Dragonfly
In 2023, an undergraduate student from McGill University discovered a new dragonfly species in Alberta, Canada. In fact, “This is the first ever...

CREATION PODCAST
Dr. Jake Hebert | Journey to ICR | The Creation Podcast: Episode...
ICR’s science staff have spent more than 50 years researching scientific evidence that refutes evolutionary philosophy...

NEWS
Oldest Evidence of Butterflies
Insects such as the ubiquitous butterfly belong to the huge phylum Arthropoda (creatures having paired, jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton)....

NEWS
Another Big Mistake in Evolution
The strange and wonderful coelacanth1 has long been a challenge to evolutionists. The coelacanth has long been hailed as an ancestor...

ACTS & FACTS
ICR 2025 Resource Catalog
At the Institute for Creation Research, our mission is not only to conduct research demonstrating how science confirms Scripture but also to share this...