PMC

(A) Partial regression plots showing the log-transformed relative telomere length (TEL_OCA2 ratio) for the caudal fin of the two studied populations of A. mexicanus. Horizontal line represents mean values, while shaded box are 95% CI. (B) Partial regression plots showing the log-transformed relative telomere length (TEL_OCA2 ratio) for the studied organs in the two A. mexicanus ecomorphs.

Geographic distribution, habitat, appearance and phylogeny of Astyanax mexicanus. (a) Map and sattelite image showing location of A. mexicanus cave morphotype populations used in this study. (b) Image of river in Mexico where A. mexicanus surface fish morphotypes are found. (c) Image of Pachón Cave where A. mexicanus cavefish morphotypes are found. (d–g) Images of surface fish and cavefish (Molino, Pachón, Tinaja) raised in the laboraotry. (h) A. mexicanus phylogeny; Tinaja and Pachón form a monophyletic clade referred to as the “old lineage” (gray shaded area) and Molino and Río Choy surface fish form a monophyletic clade referred to as the “new lineage.” Adapted from Ponnimbaduge Perera et al. () with permission. Drawing based on Herman et al. ().

Ecological niche modeling of the delimited species within the Reithrodontomys mexicanus complex using six bioclimatic variables and the vegetation continuous field product. Red zones represent the high suitability areas for each species using the 10th‐percentile cutoff threshold: a = R. mexicanus clade I, b = R. mexicanus clade IIA, c = R. mexicanus clade IIIA, d = R. mexicanus clade IIIB. Calibration areas used in the construction of each final model are represented with dashed lines. Gray hues depict an elevation gradient: light gray <1000 m, gray 1000–2500 m, and dark gray >2500 m.

Reproductive seasonality of Astyanax mexicanus and prey abundance