Organism
Cichlid Fishes
TL;DR
Cichlid fishes in African lakes show possible sympatric speciation - divergence without geographic isolation.
Cichlid fishes in African lakes show possible sympatric speciation - divergence without geographic isolation. Hundreds of species coexist in single lakes, and genetic evidence suggests they arose without geographic barriers. Mate choice based on color patterns creates reproductive isolation: red males mate with red females, blue males with blue females, even though they share habitat.
Notable Traits of Cichlid Fishes
- Sympatric speciation example
- Color-based mate choice
- Extreme species diversity