The document is a detailed presentation on zebrafish (Danio rerio), a freshwater fish used as a model organism in genetics and developmental studies. It covers their taxonomy, general characteristics, importance in research, and unique facts, including behaviors and morphology. Zebrafish are native to South Asia and have significant roles in biomedical research due to genetic similarities to humans.

1. University of Chakwal, Pakistan

2. Topic:Zebra Fish
Department of Zoology
Presented by: Komal Zahra
Roll no# UOC-BSZOL-F2020/035
BS Zoology
Session: 2020-2024
Subject: Ichthyology
Instructor Name: Dr. Syeda Nadia Ahmad

3. Introduction
 The zebrafish is one of the model
organisms for genetic and
 developmental studies.
 The scientific name of zebrafish is Danio
rerio
 The zebrafish (Danio rerio) Is a freshwater
fish
 it belongs to the minnow family,
Cyprinidae.
 Native to India and South Asia also found
in private ponds.
Fig.1 Zebra fish
https://images.app.goo.gl/dbRs3W4L
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4.  Zebrafish grow to maturity and are able breed
within 2 to 3 months.
 Got its common name from the presence of five
uniform and pigmented horizontal stripes on the
side of its body.
 Stripes of zebrafish are blue in colour and they
extend from the gill cover to the end of the caudal
fin.
 Zebrafish has been used for biomedicine and
developmental biology. (Metscher, B. D., &
Ahlberg, P. E. 2014).
Fig.2 Zebra fish
https://images.app.goo.gl/vH5GGVrc4G
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5. Taxnomy:
 Domain: Eukaryota
 Kingdom: Animalia
 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Actinopterygii
 Order: Cypriniformes
 Family: Cyprinidae
 Subfamily: Danioninae
 Genus: Danio
 Species: D. rerio

6.  Binomial Names:
 Barilius rerio
 Cyprinus chapalio
 Brachydanio rerio
 Cyprinus rerio
 Danio lineatus
 Nuria rerio
 Perilampus striatus (Broughton, R.,2016)

7. General Characteristics:
 Body Shape:Its shape is fusiform and laterally compressed,
 Mouth Shape: Mouth directed upwards.
 Tail: Forked tail
 Fins: Dorsal, pectoral, pelvic,Anal, Cadual
 Type of scales:Elasmoid scales

8. Meristic Characterstics:
 Feeder: Zebrafish are primarily carnivorous ( zooplankton, insect larvae,
and small crustaceans in the wild)
 Migrate: they don’t migrate in the same sense as some other species.
 Growth rate:The growth rate of zebrafish can vary depending on factors
such as genetics, environment, and diet.
 Life span: 2 to 3 years
 Weight: between 0.1 to 0.5 grams
 Natural predators: (predatory cichlids, snakes, birds, and aquatic
insects.)

9.  Fin formula:
 Dorsal fin rays: 8 to 9.
 Pectoral fins rays: 11-12 rays.
 Pelvic fin rays: 6-7 rays.
 Anal fin rays: 8 to 9.
 Cadual fin rays: 15 or more rays.
 Lateral Line scales: 32-35

10. Distribution:
 Native to India and South Asia also found in private ponds.
 Countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
 Slow-moving or stagnant waters, including streams, ponds, ditches,
and rice paddies.
 Often found in shallow waters with sandy or muddy substrates and
dense aquatic vegetation.
 Zebrafish have been introduced to various parts of the world beyond
their native range. (Broughton, R.,2016)

11. Importance of Zebra fish:
 Economic Importance of Zebra fish:
 Indicator Species
 Prey Species
 Control of Insect Populations:
 Nutrient Cycling
 Seed Dispersal
 Biodiversity Maintenance:
 Research on Aquatic Ecology.(Tavares, B., & Lopes, S.,2019).

12.  Biological importance of Zebra fish:
 Genetic Similarity to Humans
 Embryonic Development
 Regenerative Abilities
 Drug Discovery and Toxicology
 Neuroscience
 Cardiovascular Research
 Cancer Research
 Environmental Biology .(Tavares, B., & Lopes, S.,2019).

13. Interesting or Unique facts about Zebra fish:
 Origin and Habitat
 Distinctive Stripes
 Genetic Optical Clarity
 Regenerative Abilities
 Social Behavior
 Drug Discover
 Developmental Biology
 Environmental Sensitivity
 Educational Tool
 Short Reproduction Cycle
 Optogenetics.( Pritchard, V. L. 2017).

14. Morphology of Zebra fish:
 Mouth:
 The mouth of zebrafish is located
ventrally and is terminal,
 Zebrafish have well-defined lips
surrounding the mouth opening,
 Zebrafish possess two sets of jaws –
the upper and lower jaws, which are
lined with small, pointed teeth
Fig.3 Zebra fish Mouth
https://images.app.goo.gl/W8n3vfjjizGn
dD1SA

15.  Oral cavity
 Zebrafish have pharyngeal teeth located at the back of the throat.
 Along the inner side of the gill arches, zebrafish have gill rakers
 Zebrafish mouths are adapted for omnivorous feeding habits

16.  Scales:
 The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has a
streamlined body covered in overlapping
scales called dermal scales.
 These scales are composed of bone-like
material called dentin covered by a thin
layer of enamel.
 the coloration and patterning of the scales
vary between different strains and
individuals
Fig.4 Zebra fish scales
https://images.app.goo.gl/JNzo62
8RBCGFkEi5A

17.  Fins:
 Caudal Fin (Tail Fin)
 Dorsal Fins
 Anal Fins
 Pelvic Fins
 Pectoral Fins Fig.5 Zebrafish fins
https://images.app.goo.gl/ZQiHfgxQP6iHZz
Sw5

18. Behavior:
 Migratory Behavior:
 In the wild, they migrate in response to environmental cues such as
temperature changes, photoperiod, and food availability.
 These migrations are essential for their survival and reproduction.
 Zebrafish larvae, for example, may migrate towards warmer waters or
areas with higher food abundance.
 (Spence, R., Gerlach, G.,2019)

19.  Parental Behavior:
 caring for their eggs and offspring.
 After spawning, the male fertilizes the eggs.
 role in guarding and maintaining the nest.
 fan the eggs with their fins to ensure proper oxygenation and remove
debris.
 defend the nest against potential (Spence, R., Gerlach, G.,2019)

20. Recent research findings:
 Genetic Studies
 Disease Modeling
 Drug Screening
 Neuroscience
 Regenerative Medicine
 Environmental Studies(Spence, R., Gerlach, G.,2019)

21. References:
 Metscher, B. D., & Ahlberg, P. E. (2014). Zebrafish in context: uses of a
laboratory model in comparative studies. Developmental biology, 210(1),
1-14.
 Broughton, R. E., Milam, J. E., & Roe, B. A. (2016). The complete
sequence of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) mitochondrial genome and
evolutionary patterns in vertebrate mitochondrial DNA. Genome
research, 11(11), 1958-1967.
 Spence, R., Fatema, M. K., Reichard, M., Huq, K. A., Wahab, M. A.,
Ahmed, Z. F., & Smith, C. (2018). The distribution and habitat
preferences of the zebrafish in Bangladesh. Journal of fish biology, 69(5),
1435-1448.

22.  Tavares, B., & Lopes, S. S. (2019). The importance of Zebrafish in
biomedical research. Acta medica portuguesa, 26(5), 583-592.
 Spence, R., Gerlach, G., Lawrence, C., & Smith, C. (2019). The
behaviour and ecology of the zebrafish, Danio rerio. Biological reviews,
83(1), 13-34.
 Pritchard, V. L. (2016). Behaviour and morphology of the zebrafish,
Danio rerio (Doctoral dissertation, University of Leeds).
 Brittijn, S. A., Duivesteijn, S. J., Belmamoune, M., Bertens, L. F., Bitter,
W., De Bruijn, J. D., … & Richardson, M. K. (2018). Zebrafish
development and regeneration: new tools for biomedical research.
International Journal of Developmental Biology, 53(5-6), 835-850.