Speciation via introgressive hybridization in East African cichlids?

  1. W. Salzburger†,
  2. S. Baric,
  3. C. Sturmbauer*

Article first published online: 21 MAR 2002

DOI: 10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01438.x

Issue

Molecular Ecology

Molecular Ecology

Volume 11, Issue 3, pages 619–625, March 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Salzburger, W., Baric, S. and Sturmbauer, C. (2002), Speciation via introgressive hybridization in East African cichlids?. Molecular Ecology, 11: 619–625. doi: 10.1046/j.0962-1083.2001.01438.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Zoology and Limnology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria

    *Present address: Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Department of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria. Fax: +43 316380 9875; E-mail: christian.sturmbauer@uni-graz.at

* Christian Sturmbauer. *Present address: Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Department of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, A-8010 Graz, Austria. Fax: +43 316380 9875; E-mail: christian.sturmbauer@uni-graz.at

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 MAR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 21 MAR 2002
  3. Received 9 June 2001; revision received 6 November 2001; accepted 6 November 2001

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Keywords:

  • cichlids;
  • introgressive hybridization;
  • Lake Tanganyika;
  • microsatellite loci;
  • mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences;
  • speciation

Abstract

Speciation caused by introgressive hybridization occurs frequently in plants but its importance remains controversial in animal evolution. Here we report a case of introgressive hybridization between two ancient and genetically distinct species of Lake Tanganyika cichlids that led to the formation of a new species. Neolamprologus marunguensis contains mtDNA haplotypes from both parental species varying on average by 12.4% in the first section of the control region and by 5.2% in a segment of the cytochrome b gene. All individuals have almost identical DNA sequences in the flanking regions of the single-copy nuclear DNA locus TmoM27, and show a mosaic of alleles derived from both parental lineages in six microsatellite loci. Hence, our finding displays another mode of speciation in cichlid fishes. The increase of genetic and phenotypic diversity due to hybridization may contribute to the uniquely rapid pace of speciation in cichlids.

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