genetics and/or ecology of High-bodied discus

[dsjohn]

What is the origin and/or genetics of the "high-bodied" character in discus? Is it found in any wild populations. What is the best way to identify whether a given discus is "high-bodied" since relative to other genera all discus are "high-bodied? Excuse my ignorance if this topic has been dealt with extensively before.

Dennis

[Rod]

Hi Dennis,

Body form is controlled by quantitative traits. Check this link out for more information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_trait_locus

In wild populations there is variation from fish to fish regarding body height. If you were to select the highest body individuals and breed them together and keep selecting each generation for height, you will over a period of time make the average fish greater in height.

Hope that helps

Rod :)