Fish Hybridization Sparks Rapid Evolution and Ecological Diversification

Over 500 different species of cichlid fish have rapidly evolved in Lake Victoria within just 16,000 years, thanks to hybridization and genetic recycling. Researchers have found that these diverse species originated from three lineages of cichlid that arrived in the lake after a dry spell. The murky waters of the newly refilled lake allowed for extensive hybridization, leading to the development of various shapes, sizes, colors, and forms among the cichlids. This study challenges the assumption that hybrids are always an evolutionary dead-end and highlights the potential benefits of hybridization in generating genetic diversity and aiding survival.