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Evolution in ancient lakes: radiation of Tanganyikan atyid prawns and speciation of pelagic cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi

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An Erratum to this article was published on 27 September 2007

Abstract

Atyid prawns from Lake Tanganyika are still poorly understood. There are at least 11 species sharing an exceptionally small size and a reduction in the number of branchiae. The majority are benthic although some are pelagic. This is reflected in different morphologies of the body and walking legs. Morphological adaptions of the denticles on the chelipeds are adaptive as they relate to different ways of feeding. Pelagic fish from Lake Malawi do not represent an example of sympatric speciation as suggested by Shaw et al. (2000). It is more likely that several, independent radiations started from inshore generalists, which gradually adapted to the openwater.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Geoffrey Fryer

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  1. Geoffrey Fryer
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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9155-5.

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Fryer, G. Evolution in ancient lakes: radiation of Tanganyikan atyid prawns and speciation of pelagic cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi. Hydrobiologia 568 (Suppl 1), 131–142 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0322-x

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