Hybrid origin of a cichlid population in Lake Malawi: implications for genetic variation and species diversity

The importance of species recognition to taxonomic diversity among Lake Malawi cichlids has been frequently discussed. Hybridization — the apparent breakdown of species recognition — has been observed sporadically among cichlids and has been viewed as both a constructive and a destructive force with...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular ecology 2003-09, Vol.12 (9), p.2497-2504
Main Authors: Smith, Peter F., Konings, Ad, Kornfield, Irv
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biodiversity
Cichlidae
Cichlids - genetics
Fresh Water
Freshwater
Gene Frequency
Genetic Variation
hybridization
Hybridization, Genetic
Malawi
Male
Maylandia
Metriaclima
Microsatellite Repeats - genetics
microsatellites
Pseudotropheus zebra
Sequence Analysis, DNA
speciation
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Summary:The importance of species recognition to taxonomic diversity among Lake Malawi cichlids has been frequently discussed. Hybridization — the apparent breakdown of species recognition — has been observed sporadically among cichlids and has been viewed as both a constructive and a destructive force with respect to species diversity. Here we provide genetic evidence of a natural hybrid cichlid population with a unique colour phenotype and elevated levels of genetic variation. We discuss the potential evolutionary consequences of interspecific hybridization in Lake Malawi cichlids and propose that the role of hybridization in generating both genetic variability and species diversity of Lake Malawi cichlids warrants further consideration.
ISSN:0962-1083
1365-294X
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-294X.2003.01905.x