Can sympatric speciation by disruptive sexual selection explain rapid evolution of cichlid diversity in Lake Victoria?

Seehausen, Ole; van Alphen, JJM (1999). Can sympatric speciation by disruptive sexual selection explain rapid evolution of cichlid diversity in Lake Victoria? Ecology Letters, 2(4), pp. 262-271. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing 10.1046/j.1461-0248.1999.00082.x

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Rapid speciation can occur on ecological time scales and interfere with ecological
processes, resulting in species distribution patterns that are difficult to reconcile with
ecological theory. The haplochromine cichlids in East African lakes are an extreme
example of rapid speciation. We analyse the causes of their high speciation rates.
Various studies have identified disruptive sexual selection acting on colour
polymorphisms that might cause sympatric speciation. Using data on geographical
distribution, colouration and relatedness from 41 species endemic to Lake Victoria,
we test predictions from this hypothesis. Plotting numbers of pairs of closely related
species against the amount of distributional overlap between the species reveals a
bimodal distribution with modes on allopatric and sympatric. The proportion of
sister species pairs that are heteromorphic for the traits under disruptive selection is
higher in sympatry than in allopatry. These data support the hypothesis that
disruptive sexual selection on colour polymorphisms has caused sympatric speciation
and help to explain the rapid radiation of haplochromine species flocks.

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