Distribution of and reproductive isolation among color morphs of a rock-dwelling Lake Victoria cichlid (Haplochromis nyererei)

Geographical, macro- and microhabitat distribution of and mate recognition among color morphs of a complex of Lake Victoria cichlids was studied. The distribution of most morphs was mutually exclusive but two morphs overlapped extensively and differed only in microhabitat requirements. Coloration differences between them were inherited, and wild fishes were homozygous in this respect. Positive morph assortative female mate choice was demonstrated. Over the largest part of their common geographical range intermediate phenotypes are absent and the two morphs are to be considered two biological species. However, in populations at one end of the range intermediate phenotypes with continuously varying male coloration make up the majority of the individuals. It is suggested that the status of color morphs as phenotypes of one species or as separate biological species is a function of environmental conditions that vary considerably between the localities. The data support the hypothesis that polymorphisms can be a step preceding speciation in cichlid fish.     

Distribution of and reproductive isolation among color morphs of a rock-dwelling Lake Victoria cichlid (Haplochromis nyererei)

Abstract— The geographical and macro- and microhabitat distribution of and mate recognition among color morphs of a complex of Lake Victoria cichlids were studied. The distribution of most morphs was mutually exclusive, but two morphs overlapped extensively and differed only in microhabitat requirements. Coloration differences between them were inherited, and wild fishes were homozygous in this respect. Positive morph-assortative female mate choice was demonstrated. Over the largest part of their common geographical range, intermediate phenotypes are absent and the two morphs are to be considered two biological species. However, in populations at one end of the range, intermediate phenotypes with continuously varying male coloration make up the majority of the individuals. It is suggested that the status of color morphs as phenotypes of one species or as separate biological species is a function of environmental conditions that vary considerably between the localities. The data support the hypothesis that polymorphisms can be a step preceding speciation in cichlid fish.     

Microdistribution and fluctuations in niche overlap in a rocky shore cichlid community in Lake Victoria

Abstract— The microdistribution of ten numerically dominant species in a fish community at a rocky island in Lake Victoria was studied using invasive sampling. All were haplochromine cichlids. The community was characterized by high fish densities and by a dominance of Aufwuchs feeders . Species were non-randomly distributed, showing significant associations with water depth and other topographic parameters. Species occupied unique positions in a network of recurrent species groups. Niche partitioning through differential microdistribution was even more subtle than that reported for Lake Malawi's rock-dwelling cichlids. Species-specific microdistribution fitted qualitative predictions from ideal free distribution models with asymmetrical interference competition for food. No evidence was found for interspecific contest competition for space. Temporal niche shifts have been observed between periods of high and low water levels. Owing to a combination of reduced habitat availability with niche expansion in most species, niche overlap was larger during the lowwater period.     

Large-arena field cage releases of a candidate classical biological control agent for spotted wing drosophila suggest low risk to non-target species

Journal of Pest Science - Classical biological control, i.e., the introduction of natural enemies from an invasive pest’s area of origin, has been proposed repeatedly to control the spotted...     

Resource partitioning among rock-dwelling haplochromines (Pisces: Cichlidae) from Lake Victoria

Abstract— Resource partitioning was studied on four assemblages of haplochromine cichlids at rocky islands in the southern part of Lake Victoria. The emphasis was put on diet segregation, while data on microhabitat segregation were mainly used to determine potential competitors for food. Diet and microhabitat segregation were demonstrated in all four assemblages. In one of the assemblages we observed little partitioning of resources among two filamentous algae feeders. The role of competition for food is discussed on the basis of fluctuations in diet overlap in relation to seasonal changes in food supply. Diet overlap proved to be highest in periods of food abundance. This is in concordance with the hypothesis that competition decreases in case of food abundance. Furthermore, we compared fish densities between assemblages, because competition would regulate density. We found that diets were most diverse in the assemblage with lowest fish density, while interspecific differences in diet were smallest. Food seems not to be limiting in this particular assemblage, and factors other than competition for food are probably more important in regulating density here.