Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00362
Speciation in Offshore cichlids from Lake Malawi: population and phylogenetic analysis.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor GF Turner, University of Hull, Biological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor P Shaw, Aberystwyth University, IBERS
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor G Carvalho, Bangor University, Sch of Natural Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Hull, Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Conservation Ecology
- Abstract:
- Do populations of animals need to be geographically isolated to evolve into new species (allopatric speciation), or can one species split in two in situ (sympatric speciation)? We will examine populations of offshore cichlid fishes in Lake Malawi to examine molecular genetic evidence for and against alternative models of speciation. The case for sympatric speciation is that (i) populations of offshore cichlids have been shown to be genetically homogeneous throughout the lake; (ii) that all offshore species are derived from a single ancestor suggesting that they had already assumed the pelagic lifestyle before diversifying. We will test three allopatric speciation scenarios: (i) that offshore cichlids split up into genetically distinct populations by utilising different breeding sites, or (ii) different breeding seasons; (iii) that analysis of nuclear DNA (AFLP analysis) would show offshore cichlids had arisen many times from distinct inshore-living ancestors. The extent of population structuring and information from the combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA phylogenies, will allow us to determine the relative importance of the allopatric and sympatric speciation scenarios. Moreover, the outcome will allow the subsequent direct empirical testing of the underlying ecological and behavioural mechanisms responsible.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2003/00362
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £264,004
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £125,148 | £29,328 | £51,961 | £57,568 |
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