Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Labeotropheus fuelleborni and L. trewavasae and their Hybrids
Mentor 1
Michael Pauers
Start Date
16-4-2021 12:00 AM
Description
The cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi, in eastern Africa, have been fascinating subjects for study by evolutionary biologists. Their unparalleled diversity, which was promoted by their unique ecology and behavior, has inspired many studies of their adaptive radiation. Studies of hybrids and hybridization among these fishes have become popular recently, due to new evidence that suggests that hybridization was important during the early evolution of cichlids in Lake Malawi. The goal of this project is to compare the body shape and coloration of males in two species of these cichlids, Labeotropheus fuelleborni and L. trewavasae, and the hybrids of these species. We will use geometric morphometric analysis to measure differences in body shape among these fishes, since it is especially useful for measuring subtle differences in body shape among species of these fishes. We will then combine these analyses with an objective analysis of the coloration of the same individuals, in order to study how color and body shape may be assorted and inherited as a result of hybridization. The results of this project will contribute to the further understanding of how hybridization contributes to evolution of new species in the cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi.
Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Labeotropheus fuelleborni and L. trewavasae and their Hybrids
The cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi, in eastern Africa, have been fascinating subjects for study by evolutionary biologists. Their unparalleled diversity, which was promoted by their unique ecology and behavior, has inspired many studies of their adaptive radiation. Studies of hybrids and hybridization among these fishes have become popular recently, due to new evidence that suggests that hybridization was important during the early evolution of cichlids in Lake Malawi. The goal of this project is to compare the body shape and coloration of males in two species of these cichlids, Labeotropheus fuelleborni and L. trewavasae, and the hybrids of these species. We will use geometric morphometric analysis to measure differences in body shape among these fishes, since it is especially useful for measuring subtle differences in body shape among species of these fishes. We will then combine these analyses with an objective analysis of the coloration of the same individuals, in order to study how color and body shape may be assorted and inherited as a result of hybridization. The results of this project will contribute to the further understanding of how hybridization contributes to evolution of new species in the cichlid fishes of Lake Malawi.
