An Evaluation of the Role of Sensory Drive in the Evolution of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes
Joint Authors
Carleton, Karen L.
Smith, Adam R.
van Staaden, Moira J.
Source
International Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-12, 12 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-06-21
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
12
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Although the cichlids of Lake Malawi are an important model system for the study of sensory evolution and sexual selection, the evolutionary processes linking these two phenomena remain unclear.
Prior works have proposed that evolutionary divergence is driven by sensory drive, particularly as it applies to the visual system.
While evidence suggests that sensory drive has played a role in the speciation of Lake Victoria cichlids, the findings from several lines of research on cichlids of Lake Malawi are not consistent with the primary tenets of this hypothesis.
More specifically, three observations make the sensory drive model implausible in Malawi: (i) a lack of environmental constraint due to a broad and intense ambient light spectrum in species rich littoral habitats, (ii) pronounced variation in receiver sensory characteristics, and (iii) pronounced variability in male courtship signal characteristics.
In the following work, we synthesize the results from recent studies to draw attention to the importance of sensory variation in cichlid evolution and speciation, and we suggest possible avenues of future research.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Smith, Adam R.& van Staaden, Moira J.& Carleton, Karen L.. 2012. An Evaluation of the Role of Sensory Drive in the Evolution of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-487938
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Smith, Adam R.…[et al.]. An Evaluation of the Role of Sensory Drive in the Evolution of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-487938
American Medical Association (AMA)
Smith, Adam R.& van Staaden, Moira J.& Carleton, Karen L.. An Evaluation of the Role of Sensory Drive in the Evolution of Lake Malawi Cichlid Fishes. International Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-12.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-487938
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-487938