Journal Article10.1126/SCIENCE.277.5333.1808
Cichlid Fish Diversity Threatened by Eutrophication That Curbs Sexual Selection
TL;DR: Cichlid fish species of Lake Victoria can interbreed without loss of fertility but are sexually isolated by mate choice, and human activities that increase turbidity destroy both the mechanism of diversification and that which maintains diversity.
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Abstract: Cichlid fish species of Lake Victoria can interbreed without loss of fertility but are sexually isolated by mate choice. Mate choice is determined on the basis of coloration, and strong assortative mating can quickly lead to sexual isolation of color morphs. Dull fish coloration, few color morphs, and low species diversity are found in areas that have become turbid as a result of recent eutrophication. By constraining color vision, turbidity interferes with mate choice, relaxes sexual selection, and blocks the mechanism of reproductive isolation. In this way, human activities that increase turbidity destroy both the mechanism of diversification and that which maintains diversity.
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Citations
Water Turbidity Affects the Development of Sexual Morphology in the Palmate Newt
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Heritable true fitness and bright birds: a role for parasites?
William D. Hamilton,Marlene Zuk +1 more
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