Educational material created for Swansea Science Festival 2018

1. Do you know
the mangrove
killifish ?
They are one of the most
amazing fish species, with a
peculiar biology!
Check out some of their
special characteristics.
Killifish can be found in
freshwater, saltwater and
even in land.
To survive outside the
water, this fish possess
adaptations in their skin
and gills.
For instance, scientists
are trying to understand
epigenetic effects.
Epigenetics can be
explained as genetic
changes that are not
related to changes in
DNA sequence.
The genetic similarity of killifish
is very useful for scientists, as
they can disentangle the effects
of DNA and understand the role
of others factors.
Mangrove killifish is one of
the two self-fertilizing
vertebrates. Which means that
a fish can produce its own
offspring by itself!
Because of that they are
genetically identical to each
other.
Mangrove killifish
(Kryptolebias marmaratus)
1
2
4 3
Learn more at
www.smartaqua.org.uk

2. A killifish story
Tell your killifish story, take a picture and share
your creativity with us on twitter @smartaqua2
#swanseasciencefestiva #smartaquawales
Learn more at
www.smartaqua.org.uk

3. Do you know
zebrafish?
They are small, and live in
freshwater. Scientists around
the world use zebrafish in
their studies – they have a
lot to add to science!
Zebrafish embryos are
transparent and develop
fast. We can see the organs
growing inside the fish.
Zebrafish helped to understand and
treat diseases like:
- Leukaemia and other cancers
- Congenital heart disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
Scientists can identify
these genes, investigate
how they regulate disease
development and test new
drugs and treatments.
Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
85%
98%
70%
70% of human genes are found
in zebrafish - including some
genes associated with human
diseases.
Genetic homology in common animal models
1 2
3
4
Check out our microscope
Learn more at
www.smartaqua.org.uk

4. A zebrafish story
Tell your zebrafish story, take a picture and share
your creativity with us on twitter @smartaqua2
#swanseasciencefestiva #smartaquawales
Learn more at
www.smartaqua.org.uk

6. A lumpfish story
Learn more at
www.smartaqua.org.uk
Tell your lumpfish story, take a picture and share
your creativity with us on twitter @smartaqua2
#swanseasciencefestiva #smartaquawales