Is cichlid fish adaptive radiation?
With approximately 2,000 known species, hundreds of which coexist in individual African lakes, cichlid fish are amongst the most striking examples of adaptive radiation, the phenomenon whereby a single lineage diversifies into many ecologically varied species in a short span of time3 (Fig. 1).
How are cichlids an example of adaptive radiation?
Lake Tanganyika’s cichlid diversity has evolved through explosive speciation and is treated as a textbook example of adaptive radiation, the rapid differentiation of a single ancestor into an array of species that differ in traits used to exploit their environments and resources.
Why are cichlids a classic example of an adaptive radiation?
The diversity of the lake’s cichlids, like Darwin’s Galapagos finches, is a classic example of “adaptive radiation”—the rapid diversification of species as they adapt to environmental niches.
What adaptations do cichlids have?
The great diversity of feeding adaptations among cichlids includes species that mimic the color patterns of their prey which allows them to closely approach individuals to nip off scales and bits of fins. Another feeding adaptation involves a cichlid species that falls to the bottom and lies motionless.
What are the examples of adaptive radiation?
In fact, many classic examples of adaptive radiations involve islands or lakes; notable examples include Darwin’s finches of the Galapagos, honeycreeper birds and silversword plants of Hawaii, and cichlid fish of lakes Malawi and Victoria in Africa.
Why did the cichlids become different species?
All these differences in diet and niche have led to the hypothesis that there are many cichlid species because they have adapted to different food sources and habitats. If fish only mate with other fish that feed on the same food or live in the same habitat, then these groups can eventually become separate species.
Why are cichlids colorful?
If the alpha male of the colony is attacked or eaten by a predator, likely because of his bright colors making him much more noticeable than the other fish nearby, this allows another sub-dominant male to step up, brighten up in color and take the place as leader and continue breeding.
What are the characteristics of a cichlid?
Cichlids are rather deep-bodied and have one nostril (rather than the usual two) on each side of the head. The lateral line is discontinuous, and there are three or more anal spines. They generally have rounded tails and, though sizable for aquarium fishes, usually do not grow longer than about 30 cm (12 inches).
Is adaptive radiation convergent or divergent?
Adaptive radiation is a concept in evolutionary biology where the number of species with a common ancestor increase rapidly however they are characterised by great morphological and ecological variations. So, the correct answer is ‘Divergent evolution’.
What’s an example of divergent evolution?
One of the most famous examples of divergent evolution is the case of Darwin’s Finches. During Darwin’s travels to the Galápagos Islands he discovered several different species of finch that shared a common ancestor. They lived on varying diets and had beaks that differed in shape and size reflecting their diet.
What did cichlids evolve from?
However, of the African cichlids, all extant substrate brooding species originate solely from Lake Tanganyika. The ancestor of the Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria cichlids were mouthbrooders.
What happened to the cichlids?
A UC Davis Evolution and Ecology team has discovered that cichlid fishes in Africa’s Lake Victoria have suffered a unique and unexpected effect of evolutionary adaptation: mass extinction.
Why is my cichlid turning white?
Cichlids turning white are oftentimes an indication of stress. Other known factors can be shyness, illness, or preparation for breeding. It may also be possible that your Cichlid is becoming weaker due to old age. Depending on their cause, some of these changes are only temporary.
Why did my yellow cichlid turn black?
They need a lot of fiber, vitamins and greens instead in order to thrive. Moreover, they are especially sensitive to water quality. If the water gets dirty or the parameters change, health issues are going to develop. Before you know it, your Yellow cichlid is going to get Malawi bloat and gradually turn black.
What makes a cichlid a cichlid?
Are cichlids smart fish?
Members of the family Cichlidae are among the most “intelligent” and behaviorally advanced of our freshwater fish aquarium fishes. They hold and defend territories, and they go through elaborate courtship rituals and then guard and rear their eggs and offspring.
Does adaptive radiation lead to divergent evolution?
Adaptive radiation may lead to divergent evolution over time as the new species become less similar, or diverge, in different directions on the tree of life. While it is a very fast type of speciation, divergent evolution generally takes more time.
What are 2 examples of convergent evolution?
Examples of convergent evolution
Both humans and octopuses (opens in new tab) have camera-like eyes with an iris, a lens and a retina — all essential parts of an imaging device. And both bats (opens in new tab) and birds have wings. As similar as these traits may appear, a closer look reveals their independent origins.
What is an example of divergent?
The definition of divergent is things that move in different directions or that are far apart from each other. An example of divergent are the ideologies of a liberal democrat and a conservative republican. An example of divergent is a path that splits off into two different directions.
Is adaptive radiation divergent evolution?
What is special about cichlids?
Cichlids are an extremely diverse family of fishes, most of which are found in rift lakes in Africa. There are more than 500 species in just three lakes: Victoria, Malawi, and Tanganyika. Most are specialized feeders, which allows many different types to live together without much competition.
Is cichlid fish extinct?
Cichlid species became extinct from Lake Victoria because of invasion by the predatory fish Nile perch. The Nile perch was an alien species that was introduced into the lake to improve fishing. However, this resulted in the extinction of the native cichlid fish.
Why is my cichlid laying on the bottom?
Cichlids are more territorial when there are less fish in the tank and may hang out at the bottom to defend a favorite part of a grotto rock. Most cichlids instinctively feel secure in a rocky biotope and will try to remain hidden along the bottom if your aquarium only contains plants.
Why is my Cichlid turning white?
Why is my blood red cichlid turning black?
Black spot disease is a parasitic infection that affects blood parrot cichlids. The disease is caused by a protozoan called blackspot flagellate (Pseudocohnilembus perspicillatus), which lives in the fish’s intestines and multiplies rapidly.