The rapid formation of 500 different species of fish in a single lake, each with specialized ecological roles, resulted from a small but genetically diverse hybrid population.
Scientists show the extraordinary diversity of cichlid fish in Africa's Lake Victoria was made possible by 'genetic recycling' -- repeated cycles of new species appearing and rapidly adapting to different roles in the ecosystem. In an evolutionary case study that has fascinated researchers for decades, the research sheds light on how 500 species of fish were able to emerge and thrive in just 16,000 years.
Cichlids in Lake Victoria have adapted to occupy nearly every imaginable role in the ecosystem. They come in various sizes, shapes, colours, ranging from top predators down to tiny zooplankton. These cichlids are considered a classic example of 'adaptive radiation,' where one group gives rise to many species, each with unique characteristics and behaviours.
Researchers determined that around 16,000 years ago, when the lake refilled, three swamp-dwelling cichlid populations came together, merging their genes to give rise to hybrid fish. The initial genetic diversity in these three cichlid populationsplayed a crucial role in their potential to evolve ecological groups. Each swamp population contributed different gene variants, such as genes for hunting or algae scraping.
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