BRAINCAKECichlid Speciation
The many cichlid species in each African lake evolved in the same body of water, so much of their speciation is thought to be sympatric. The main mechanism is sexual selection leading to behavioural isolation.
In many cichlid species, females choose their mates based on the colour of the males. The best-studied example is from Lake Victoria:
1. Pundamilia pundamilia males are blue and live in shallow water, where blue light is common.
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Key terms in this lesson
- behavioural isolation
- A form of reproductive isolation in which differences in courtship or mating behaviour stop two populations interbreeding.
- sexual selection
- A form of natural selection in which individuals with characteristics preferred by potential mates have greater reproductive success.
More in Natural Selection
- Endemic Species
- Desert Pupfish
- Adaptive Radiation
- Sympatric Speciation
- Howea Palm Tree
- Fruit Fly Rhagoletis pomonella
- Cichlid Fish
- Cichlids Under Threat
All 29 lessons in Natural Selection · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics