Abstract
Sexually active male haplochromine cichlid fishes possess pronounced yellow ovoid spots on the anal fm, which mimic eggs of the female and have therefore been called egg dummies (Wickler, 1962b).
It is thought that divergence in egg dummy characteristics can considerably reduce gene flow and in this way may trigger off reproductive isolation. Two ways in which egg dummy divergence can develop are described. Both mechanisms may have been operating, at the same time and in the same area, in different species, or possibly even in a single species.
Firstly, egg dummy divergence can develop in species with accurately mimetic egg dummies if selection pressures on egg characteristics (size, shape) differ in temporarily isolated demes. As soon as egg characteristics diverge, egg dummy characteristics follow. This type of egg dummy divergence leads to reproductive isolation by mimicry. Mimetic isolation is proposed as a term to describe the mechanism.
Secondly, egg dummy divergence can develop if selection pressures on the egg dummy characteristics are different in two temporarily isolated demes. Upon secondary contact, this divergence may work as a sexual isolation mechanism, since female mate choice is important in haplochromines. Egg dummy divergence is likely to develop rapidly and, if this happens repeatedly, explosive speciation may result. Apparently, explosive speciation has occurred in haplochromines. Neither of the two models has been properly tested. Some preliminary evidence was found that the second model is valid, but so far there is no evidence in favour of the first model.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Balon, E.K. (1977). Early ontogeny of Labeotropheus Ahl, 1927 (Mbuna, Cichlidae, Lake Malawi), with a discussion on advanced protective styles in fish reproduction and development.- Env. Biol. Fish. 2: 147–176.
Brooks, J.L. (1950). Speciation in ancient lakes.- Q. Rev. Biol. 25: 30–60 and 131–176.
Capron de Caprona, M.D. and Fritzsch, B. (1984). Interspeciflc fertile hybrids of haplochromine Cichlidae (Teleostei) and their possible importance for speciation.- Neth. J. Zool. 34: 503–538.
Dominey, W.C. (1984). Species flocks in Hawaiian Drosophila and the cichlid fishes of the Great Lakes of Africa: consequences of sexual selection and life history phenomena. In: A.A. Echelle and I. Kornfield, eds., Evolution in Fish Species Flocks, p. 231–249.- Orono, Maine, University of Maine at Orono Press.
Endler, J.A. (1983). Natural and sexual selection on color patterns in poecihid fishes.- Envir. Biol. Fishes 9: 173–190.
Endler, J.A. (1987). Predation, light intensity and courtship behaviour in Poecilia reticulata (Pisces: Poeciliidae).- Anim. Behav. 35: 1376–1385.
Fryer, G. (1969). Speciation and adaptive radiation in African lakes.- Verh. int. Verein. theor. angew. Limnol. 17: 303–322.
Fryer, G. and Iles, T.D. (1969). Alternative routes to evolutionary success among African cichlid fishes, as shown by the genus Tilapia and the species flocks of the Great Lakes.- Evolution 23: 359–369.
Fryer, G. and Iles, T.D. (1972). The Cichlid Fishes of the Great Lakes of Africa. Edinburgh, Oliver & Boyd.
Goldschmidt, T. (1986). Niche differentiation in planktivorous haplochromines in the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria and a hypothesis on the speciation of haplochromines in general.- Ann. Kon. Mus. Mid. Afr., Zool. Wetensch. 251: 45–52.
Goldschmidt, T. (1989). An Ecological and Morphological Fieldstudy on the Haplochromine Cichlid Fishes (Pisces, Cichlidae) of Lake Victoria.- Leiden, PhD Thesis, State University of Leiden.
Goldschmidt, T. (in press). Ecomorphology of anal spots in haplochromine cichlids (Pisces, Cichlidae) from Lake Victoria.
Goldschmidt, T., Witte, F. and de Visser, J. (in press). Ecological segregation of zooplanktivorous haplochromines (Pisces, Cichlidae) from Lake Victoria.- Oikos.
Grant, P.R. (1986). Ecology and Evolution of Darwin's Finches.- Princeton, Princeton University Press.
Greenwood, P.H. (1974). Cichlid fishes of Lake Victoria: the biology and evolution of a species flock.- Bull. Brit. Mus. (Nat. Hist.) Zool. Suppl. 6: 1–134.
Hanon, L. (1975). Adaptations morphologique et compartementale à l'incubation buccale chez les poissons cichlides: oeufs et alevins.- Ann. Soc. Roy. Zool. Belg. 105: 169–191.
Hert, E., (1989). The function of the egg-spots in an African mouth-brooding cichlid fish.- Anim. Behav. 37: 726–732.
Hoogerhoud. R.J.C., Witte, F. and Barel, C.D.N. (1983). The ecological differentiation of two closely resembling Haplochromis species from Lake Victoria (H. iris and H. hiatus Pisces, Cichlidae).- Neth. J. Zool. 33: 283–305.
Kirkpatrick, M. (1982). Sexual selection and the evolution of female choice. Evolution 36: 1–12.
Kosswig, C. (1963). Ways of speciation in fishes.- Copeia 1963: 238–244.
Kuwamura, T. (1986). Parental care and mating systems of cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika: a preliminary field survey.- J. Eth. 4: 129–146.
Lande, R. (1982). Rapid origin of sexual isolation and character divergence in a cline.- Evolution 36: 213–233.
Marsh, B.A., Marsh, A.C. and Ribbink, A.J. (1986). Reproductive seasonality in a group of rock-frequenting cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi.- J. Zool. (Lond.) 208: 9–20.
Mayr, E. (1984). Evolution of fish species flocks: a commentary. In: A.A. Echelle and I. Kornfield, eds., Evolution of Fish Species Flocks, p.3–11.- Orono, Maine, University of Maine at Orono Press.
Mrowka, W. (1987). Oral fertilization in a mouth-brooding cichlid fish.- Ethology 74: 293–296.
Oijen, M.P.J. van (1982). Ecological differentiation among the piscivorous haplochromine cichlids of Lake Victoria.- Neth. J. Zool. 32: 336–363.
Oijen, M.P.J. van, Witte, F. and Witte-Maas, E.L.M. (1981). An introduction to ecological and taxonomic Investigations on the haplochromine cichhds from the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria.- Neth. J. Zool. 31: 149–174.
Ribbink, A.J. (1986). The species concept, sibling species and speciation.- Ann. Kon. Mus. Mid. Aft., Zool. Wetensch. 251: 109–116.
Ribbink, A.J., Marsh, B.A., Marsh, A.C., Ribbink, A.C. and Sharp, B.J. (1983). A preliminary survey of the cichlid fishes of rocky habitats in Lake Malawi.- S. Afr. J. Zool. 18: 149–310.
Wickler, W. (1962a). Zur Stammesgeschichte funktionell korrelierter Organ- and Verhaltensmerkmale: Ei-Attrappen and Maulbrüten bei afr]kan]schen Cichliden (Pisces, Acanthopterygii).- Z. Tierpsych. 19: 129–164.
Wickler, W. (1962b). “Egg dummies” as natural releasers in mouthbreeding cichlids-. Nature, Lond. 194: 1092–1093.
Witte, F. (1981). Initial results of the ecological survey of the haplochromine cichlid fishes from the Mwanza Gulf of Lake Victoria (Tanzania): breeding patterns, trophic and species distribution.- Neth. J. Zool. 31: 175–202.
Witte, F. (1984). Ecological differentiation in Lake Victoria haplochromines: comparison of cichlid species flocks in African Lakes. In: A.A. Echelle and I. Kornfield, eds., Evolution of Fish Species Flocks, p.155–167. Orono, Maine, University of Maine at Orono Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Goldschmidt, T., de Visser, J. On the possible role of egg mimics in speciation. Acta Biotheor 38, 125–134 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047549
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00047549