Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Depth-dependent abundance of Midas Cichlid fish (Amphilophus spp.) in two Nicaraguan crater lakes

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Midas Cichlid species complex (Amphilophus spp.) in Central America serves as a prominent model system to study sympatric speciation and parallel adaptive radiation, since small arrays of equivalent ecotype morphs have evolved independently in different crater lakes. While the taxonomy and evolutionary history of the different species are well resolved, little is known about basic ecological parameters of Midas Cichlid assemblages. Here, we use a line transect survey to investigate the depth-dependent abundance of Amphilophus spp. along the shores of two Nicaraguan crater lakes, Apoyo and Xiloá. We find a considerable higher density of Midas cichlids in Lake Xiloá as compared to Lake Apoyo, especially at the shallowest depth level. This might be due to the higher eutrophication level of Lake Xiloá and associated differences in food availability, and/or the presence of a greater diversity of niches in that lake. In any case, convergent forms evolved despite noticeable differences in size, age, eutrophication level, and carrying capacity. Further, our data provide abundance and density estimates for Midas Cichlid fish, which serve as baseline for future surveys of these ecosystems and are also relevant to past and future modeling of ecological speciation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arendt, J. & D. Reznick, 2008. Convergence and parallelism reconsidered: what have we learned about the genetics of adaptation? Trends in Ecology & Evolution 23: 26–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barlow, G. W., 1976. The Midas cichlid in Nicaragua. In Thorson, T. B. (ed.), Investigations of the Ichthyofauna of Nicaraguan Lakes, University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 333–358.

  • Barluenga, M. & A. Meyer, 2004. The Midas cichlid species complex: incipient sympatric speciation in Nicaraguan cichlid fishes. Molecular Ecology 13: 2061–2076.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barluenga, M. & A. Meyer, 2010. Phylogeography, colonization and population history of the Midas cichlid species complex (Amphilophus spp.) in the Nicaraguan crater lakes. BMC Evolutionary Biology 10: 326.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barluenga, M., K. N. Stölting, W. Salzburger, M. Muschick & A. Meyer, 2006. Sympatric speciation in Nicaraguan Crater Lake cichlid fish. Nature 439: 719–723.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, D., M. Mächler & B. Bolker, 2011. LME4: linear mixed-effects model using S4 classes. R package, v. 0.999375-40. http://cran.r-project.org.

  • Brakefield, P. M., 2006. Evo-devo and constraints on selection. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 21: 362–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bunje, P. M., M. Barluenga & A. Meyer, 2007. Sampling genetic diversity in the sympatrically and allopatrically speciating Midas cichlid species complex over a 16 year time series. Bmc Evolutionary Biology 7: 25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Canonico, G. C., A. Arthington, J. K. McCrary & M. L. Thieme, 2005. The effects of introduced tilapias on native biodiversity. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 15: 463–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheal, A. J. & A. A. Thompson, 1997. Comparing visual counts of coral reef fish: implications of transect width and species selection. Marine Ecology Progress Series 158: 241–248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elmer, K. R., H. Kusche, T. K. Lehtonen & A. Meyer, 2010. Local variation and parallel evolution: morphological and genetic diversity across a species complex of Neotropical Crater Lake cichlid fishes. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London B 365: 1763–1782.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gavrilets, S., A. Vose, M. Barluenga, W. Salzburger & A. Meyer, 2007. Case studies and mathematical models of ecological speciation. 1. Cichlids in a crater lake. Molecular Ecology 16: 2893–2909.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gavrilets, S. & J. B. Losos, 2009. Adaptive radiation: contrasting theory with data. Science 323: 732–737.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, M. F., J. K. McCrary & U. K. Schliewen, 2010a. Not a simple case – A first comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis for the Midas cichlid complex in Nicaragua (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Amphilophus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 56: 1011–1024.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geiger, M. F., J. K. McCrary & J. R. Stauffer, 2010b. Description of two new species of the Midas cichlid complex (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 123: 159–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gíslason, D., M. M. Ferguson, S. Skúlason & S. S. Snorrason, 1999. Rapid and coupled phenotypic and genetic divergence in Icelandic Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56: 2229–2234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, S. & J. Blanchard, 2004. Fish abundance with no fishing: predictions based on macroecological theory. Journal of Animal Ecology 73: 632–642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koch, E. W., 2001. Beyond light: physical, geological and geochemical parameters as possible submersed aquatic vegetation habitat requirements. Estuaries 24: 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kocher, T. D., 2004. Adaptive evolution and explosive speciation: the cichlid fish model. Nature Reviews Genetics 5: 288–298.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kullander, S. & K. E. Hartel, 1997. The systematic status of cichlid genera described by Louis Agassiz in 1859: Amphilophus, Baiodon, Hypsophyrs and Parachromis (Teleostei: Cichlidae). Ichthyological Explorations of Freshwaters 7: 193–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, S. Y., 1961. Informe al goberino de Nicaragua sobre el desarrollo de un proyecto de pesquerías continentals en dicho país. Informe F. A. O. 1347: 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Losos, J. B., T. R. Jackman, A. Larson, K. Queiroz & L. Rodriguez-Schettino, 1998. Contingency and determinism in replicated adaptive radiations of island lizards. Science 279: 2115–2118.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCrary, J. K., E. P. van den Berghe, K. R. McKaye & L. J. Lopez Perez, 2001. Tilapia cultivation: a threat to native species in Nicaragua. Encuentro 58: 9–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKaye, K. R., J. D. Ryan, J. R. Stauffer, L. J. Lopez Perez & E. P. van den Berghe, 1995. African tilapia in Lake Nicaragua: ecosystem in transition. BioScience 45: 406–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKaye, K. R., J. R. Stauffer, E. P. van den Berghe, R. Vivas, L. J. Lopez Perez, J. K. McCrary, R. Waid, A. Konings, W. J. Lee & T. D. Kocher, 2002. Behavioral, morphological and genetic evidence of divergence of the Midas Cichlid species complex in two Nicaraguan crater lakes. Cuadernos de Investigación de la UCA 12: 19–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutschmann, S., M. Matschiner, M. Damerau, M. Muschick, M. F. Lehmann, R. Hanel & W. Salzburger, 2011. Parallel ecological diversification in Antarctic notothenioid fishes as evidence for adaptive radiation. Molecular Ecology 20: 4707–4721.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Salzburger, W., 2009. The interaction of sexually and naturally selected traits in the adaptive radiations of cichlid fishes. Molecular Ecology 18: 169–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schliewen, U. K., D. Tautz & S. Paabo, 1994. Sympatric speciation suggested by monophyly of crater lake cichlids. Nature 368: 629–632.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schluter, D. & J. D. McPhail, 1992. Ecological character displacement and speciation in sticklebacks. American Naturalist 140: 85–108.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schluter, D. & L. Nagel, 1995. Parallel speciation by natural selection. American Naturalist 140: 292–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuster, W. H., 1957. Informe al goberino de Nicaragua sobre fomento de la pesca contonental. Informe F. A. O. 607: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seehausen, O., 1997. Cichlid fish diversity threatened by eutrophication that curbs sexual selection. Science 277: 1808–1811.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seehausen, O., Y. Terai, I. S. Magalhaes, K. L. Carleton, H. D. J. Mrosso, R. Miyagi, I. van der Sluijs, et al., 2008. Speciation through sensory drive in cichlid fish. Nature 455: 620–626.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Silvano, R. A. M., M. Ramires & J. Zuanon, 2009. Effects of fisheries management on fish communities in the floodplain lakes of a Brazilian Amazonian Reserve. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 18: 156–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stauffer, J. R. & K. R. McKaye, 2002. Descriptions of three new species of cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Xiloá, Nicaragua. Cuadernos de Investigacíon de la Universidad Centroamericana 12: 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stauffer, J. R., J. K. McCrary & K. E. Black, 2008. Three new species of cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua. Proceedings of the Biological Society Washington 121: 117–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Streelman, J. T. & P. D. Danley, 2003. The stages of vertebrate evolutionary radiation. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 18: 126–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sturmbauer, C., M. Husemann & P. D. Danley, 2011. Explosive speciaiton and adaptive radiation of East African cichlid fishes. In Zachos, F. E. & J. C. Habel (eds.), Biodiversity Hotspots: Distribution and Protection of Conservation Priority Areas. Springer: 333–362.

  • Sussman, D., 1985. Apoyo caldera, Nicaragua: a major quaternary silicic eruptive center. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 24: 249–282.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A. A. & B. D. Mapstone, 1997. Observer effects and training in underwater visual surveys of reef fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 154: 53–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waid, R. M., R. L. Raesly, K. R. McKaye & J. K. McCrary, 1999. Zoogeografía íctica de lagunas cratéricas de Nicaragua. Encuentro 51: 65–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witmer, G. W., 2005. Wildlife population monitoring: some practical considerations. Wildlife Research 32: 259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to C. Heule, N. Hue and A. Theis for assisting us with diving; B. Christ and T. Suter for their helping hand at dive sites; the Ministerio del Ambiente y los Recursos Naturales Nicaragua (MARENA) for research permits; E. P. van den Berghe for logistical help and scientific expertise; and two anonymous referees, Associated Editor C. Sturmbauer and the Editor K. Martens for valuable comments on the manuscript; T. Roth for statistical support, and the “Fuerzas Armadas de Nicaragua” for boat cruises and air supply. This project was funded by grants from the European Research Council (ERC) and the Swiss NSF.

Author information

Author notes

  1. Marie Theres Dittmann

    Present address: Group of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Universitätsstrasse 2, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland

    Marie Theres Dittmann, Marius Roesti, Adrian Indermaur, Marco Colombo, Martin Gschwind, Isabel Keller, Robin Kovac, Moritz Muschick & Walter Salzburger

  2. IFM-Geomar, Evolutionsbiologie, Düstenbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany

    Isabel Keller

  3. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutierrez Abascal 2, 28006, Madrid, Spain

    Marta Barluenga

Authors
  1. Marie Theres Dittmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marius Roesti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adrian Indermaur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marco Colombo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Martin Gschwind
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Isabel Keller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Robin Kovac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Marta Barluenga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Moritz Muschick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Walter Salzburger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Walter Salzburger.

Additional information

Handling editor: Christian Sturmbauer

Marie Theres Dittmann and Marius Roesti contributed equally to this study.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 46 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dittmann, M.T., Roesti, M., Indermaur, A. et al. Depth-dependent abundance of Midas Cichlid fish (Amphilophus spp.) in two Nicaraguan crater lakes. Hydrobiologia 686, 277–285 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1024-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1024-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation