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Fig. 14 | BMC Biology

Fig. 14

From: Non-model model organisms

Fig. 14

The African turquoise killifish has two distinct phases in its lifecycle. During the rainy season, the turquoise killifish has a naturally compressed lifecycle. Turquoise killifish grow fast and rapidly reach sexual maturation, characterized by bright colors in males (Young adult). Old fish recapitulate aging phenotypes, including loss of muscle mass, color, and tissue homeostasis (Old adult). Newly laid turquoise killifish embryos enter diapause to survive the upcoming drought during the dry season (embryo). The embryos can stay in diapause for many months (several times longer than the fish lifespan), raising the possibility that the damage that accumulates with time may be slowed or even reset (“rejuvenation”). The embryos then break diapause and the fish resume their compressed lifecycle during the following rainy season. Some embryos escape diapause, and it is therefore possible to study each state separately in the laboratory

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