Hello; I'm a researcher at the University of Chicago doing work on hindbrain evolution. Polypterus' position as one of the most 'primitive' fish makes them particularly important for comparison in any broad evolutionary study of vertebrate characters, but up until the relatively recent success of captive breeding programs, the eggs have just not been available.
I've been trying to take advantage of this and secure very young Polypterus for several months, but it's really been quite a task. I've tried contacting few sites online that seem to be connected with captive breeding programs and trying to work something out with an importer, but mostly I'm getting the response of, "We've never done that before, so no."
I thought I'd post here to see if anyone either knows of a place that might be willing to part with some eggs, or has a successfully breeding pair at hand. I'm hoping to get around 100-200 eggs, but even a handful would be wonderful. Albinos are preferable (since pigmentation develops pretty early), but any species or variety of Polypterus (or Ropefish) will work. Eggs are preferable, but I can also work with larvae under one inch (though these are more delicate to ship than eggs), or a breeding pair of adults. I have all the documents needed to import if necessary, and I'm open to paying whatever price you think is fair, if you have the eggs yourself.
In addition to telling us a lot about the evolution of the brain, these fish will be used to help understand and find a cure for diabetes and human brain defects related to the cranial nerves. I can provide more information on the specifics of the research if you're interested. Thank you very much for your help!
Sincerely,
Morgan Wirthlin
the University of Chicago
http://princelab.bsd.uchicago.edu/projects/index.html
I've been trying to take advantage of this and secure very young Polypterus for several months, but it's really been quite a task. I've tried contacting few sites online that seem to be connected with captive breeding programs and trying to work something out with an importer, but mostly I'm getting the response of, "We've never done that before, so no."
I thought I'd post here to see if anyone either knows of a place that might be willing to part with some eggs, or has a successfully breeding pair at hand. I'm hoping to get around 100-200 eggs, but even a handful would be wonderful. Albinos are preferable (since pigmentation develops pretty early), but any species or variety of Polypterus (or Ropefish) will work. Eggs are preferable, but I can also work with larvae under one inch (though these are more delicate to ship than eggs), or a breeding pair of adults. I have all the documents needed to import if necessary, and I'm open to paying whatever price you think is fair, if you have the eggs yourself.
In addition to telling us a lot about the evolution of the brain, these fish will be used to help understand and find a cure for diabetes and human brain defects related to the cranial nerves. I can provide more information on the specifics of the research if you're interested. Thank you very much for your help!
Sincerely,
Morgan Wirthlin
the University of Chicago
http://princelab.bsd.uchicago.edu/projects/index.html
