2007/03/01 by Raymond E. Engeszer, Larissa B. Patterson, Andrew A. Rao +1 · 4 citations
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Fish biology, ecology, and behavior #Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
paper · doi:10.1089/zeb.2006.9997
openalex publication_date 2007/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The zebrafish, Danio rerio, has emerged as a major model organism for biomedical research, yet little is known about its natural history. We review the literature pertaining to the geographic range, biotic and abiotic habitats, and life cycle of the zebrafish. We also report our own field study to document several aspects of zebrafish natural history across sites in northeast India. We found zebrafish particularly abundant in silt-bottomed, well-vegetated pools and rice paddies adjacent to slow moving streams at a range of elevations. We further identified co-occurring fishes likely to be zebrafish competitors and predators. Finally, we present observations that indicate substantial habitat degradation and loss, and suggest guidelines for documenting and preserving natural zebrafish populations.