Demography, metapopulation dynamics and ecology of Nothobranchius fishes in Mozambique (2009–2012)

Nothobranchius furzeri, an African annual killifish with a maximum natural lifespan of 3-6 months, has recently become important model species for ageing research in vertebrates and its value stems from inter-population variability in lifespan (intrinsic mortality) and age-related decay in phenotype functions. This project incuded field and laboratory work on demography and metapopulation genetics of N. furzeri and comparative phylogeography and community ecology of N. furzeri and its two sympatric species with contrasting ecological requirements and life histories. We used a combination of ecological (e.g. growth and age estimates from otoliths) and population genetic methodology to obtain precise data for a series of natural populations of N. furzeri and two related species. The ultimate aim owas to provide a powerful basis to understand evolutionary and environmental factors that contribute to the evolution of rapid senescence.