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.
Historically, the cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi, which probably represent one of the best examples of rapid radiation of vertebrates, have been diagnosed with morphological and genetic data. Many of the populations once thought to be conspecific have been hypothesized to be separate species based on behavioural data. The use of behavioural data, as expressed in mate choice based on colour patterns or bower shapes, has been successfully used to diagnose both rock‐dwelling and sand‐dwelling cichlid species. Additionally, a combination of bower shapes and courtship patterns have been used as synapomorphies to diagnose genera within the Lake Malawi cichlid flock. It is concluded that taxonomists need to include behavioural data with morphological and genetic databases to diagnose species and to determine the phylogenetic relationships within this diverse assemblage of fishes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.