Most biomedical research is performed using a very limited number of “model” species. In part, this has resulted from a combination of full genomes, manipulation of genes, and short generation times in these species. However, the advent of low-cost sequencing and gene editing in any organism has increased the use of nontraditional organisms. Many scientists have paraphrased the adage by Krogh [Krogh, A. (2018) Science 70, 200−204] that for many biological problems some species will prove to be most convenient and useful to study. In particular, using organisms most suited to the specific research question can lead to novel insights about fundamental physiological, neurobiological, immunological, and neuroendocrine systems that can advance our understanding of the well-being and health of humans. In addition, such studies have led to new ideas about the evolution and mechanisms that control social behavior. Fishes constitute about 50% of all vertebrate species and are the most diverse vertebrate radiation. Here we review behavioral and neurobiological discoveries of plasticity in social behavior resulting from analysis of an African cichlid fish, showing how its unique behavioral system has facilitated a broad range of discoveries. For many future questions, Astatotilapia burtoni and other cichlid fishes may be ideally suited to study as we advance our understanding of the neural basis of social decisions.

中文翻译：

---

牛膝菌：行为神经生物学分析模型系统

大多数生物医学研究都是使用非常有限的“模型”物种进行的。部分原因是这些物种中完整的基因组，基因的操纵和较短的生成时间共同作用的结果。然而，在任何生物中低成本测序和基因编辑的出现增加了非传统生物的使用。许多科学家对克罗格的格言进行了解释[克罗格，A。（2018）科学 70（200-204），对于许多生物学问题，某些物种将被证明是最方便，最有用的研究对象。特别是，使用最适合特定研究问题的生物可以导致有关基本生理，神经生物学，免疫和神经内分泌系统的新颖见解，从而可以增进我们对人类福祉和健康的理解。此外，此类研究还带来了有关控制社会行为的演变和机制的新观念。鱼约占所有脊椎动物物种的50％，是最多样化的脊椎动物辐射。在这里，我们回顾了对非洲丽鱼科鱼的分析得出的社会行为可塑性的行为和神经生物学发现，显示了其独特的行为系统如何促进了广泛的发现。对于以后的许多问题，随着我们对社会决策的神经基础的了解，牛stat鱼和其他丽鱼科鱼可能非常适合进行研究。