Early learning influences species assortative mating preferences in Lake Victoria cichlid fish.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Verzijden MN
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2375935 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Early learning influences species assortative mating preferences in Lake Victoria cichlid fish.
Verzijden Machteld N MN ten Cate Carel C
Biology letters 20070401 2
The Lake Victoria 'species flock' of cichlids is puzzling because reproductive isolation often occurs in the absence of substantial ecological differences among species. Theory predicts that this cannot evolve with most genetic mechanisms for mate choice. We provide the first evidence that learning, in the form of sexual imprinting, helps maintain reproductive isolation among closely related cichlid species. Using a cross-fostering experiment, we show that young females develop a sexual preferen ...[more]
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