Cichlids, a type of fish, were introduced to a lake around 200 years ago. Over the years, the fish have developed into two disti
nct groups. One group stays in the main lake and the other group resides in the streams that flow into it. Both groups of cichlids breed in the same streams at the same time of year. However, the groups are splitting into two genetically and physically different types of fishes. How would you classify this type of speciation
Different sympatric species have the same closest ancestor and live in the same area but inhabiting different niches.
The steps for sympatric speciation are:
An ancestral species inhabit a geographic area.
With time, different populations of the same species occupy different niches or microhabitats in this general area.
As the microhabitats are different, they have different environmental pressures that are acting on each population.
These pressures lead to the origin of differences between groups, which need to adapt to each environment
Each population suffers genetic changes due to environmental conditions. These changes are inheritable.
With time, these differences drive to the final complete divergence of populations, becoming different species and reproductively isolated.
In sympatric speciation, the interruption of genetic flow must be fast, and there must be differences in niches so no species can compete and displace the other species. <em>Speciation occurs in the same distribution area of the original species</em>. The new species originate in a place with no physical barriers but different environmental pressures.
In the exposed example,
<em>The introduced Cichlid fishes 200 years ago</em> → Original species and the common ancestor between the new derivated species
<em>The lake</em> → general geographic area
<em>The main lake and the streams</em> → Microhabitats or niches with different pressures each
<em>The groups are splitting into two genetically and physically different types of fishes. They do not mate. There is no genetic flow between groups.</em> → Speciation process.
A producer. For example in a common food chain, grass->grasshopper->mouse->snake->eagle. The grasshopper eats grass which is a producer so if there aren't anymore insects like grasshoppers, then the grass grows more.
How are the nucleus and a vesicle similar and different in structure and function? Both are membrane-bound compartments that store and separate certain materials. The nucleus is an almost permanent structure protected by a double membrane bilayer, whereas a vesicle is a temporary organelle.
The First Quarter Moon is a primary Moon phase when half of the Moon's face is lit up. Whether it is the left or right half depends on where you are on Earth.
