This volume constitutes the most recent and most comprehensive consideration of the largest family of bony fishes, the Cichlidae. This book offers an integrated perspective of cichlid fishes ranging from conservation of threatened species to management of cichlids as invasive species themselves. Long-standing models of taxonomy and systematics are subjected to the most recent applications and interpretations of molecular evidence and multivariate analyses; and cichlid adaptive radiations at different scales are elucidated. The incredible diversity of endemic cichlid species in African lakes is revisited as possible examples of sympatric speciation and as serious cases for management in complex anthropogenic environments. Extreme hydrology and bathymetry as driver of micro-allopatric speciation is explored in the African riverine hotspot of diversity of the lower Congo River.

Dramatic new molecular evidence draws attention to the complex taxonomy and systematics ofNeotropical cichlids including the crater lakes of Central America. Molecular genetics, genomics, imaging tools and field study techniques assess the roles of natural, sexual and kin selection in shaping cichlid traits and beyond. The complex behavioral adaptations of cichlids are considered from a number of sub-disciplines including sensory biology, neurobiology, development, and evolutionary ecology. Most importantly, this volume puts forth a wealth of new interpretations, explanatory hypotheses and proposals for practical management and applications that will shape the future for these remarkable fishes in nature as well as their use as models for the study of biology.

Widely international in authorship and coverage Detailed historical consideration of studies of cichlid biology Illustrated throughout with fascinating cichlid traits

Autorentext
Maria E. Abate is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

David L. G. Noakes is late professor in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.

Inhalt
Chance, Choice and Cichlids.- Frontiers in Cichlid Research: A History of Scientific Advancement.- Ecological Opportunity, Genetic Variation, and the Origins of African Cichlid Radiations.- Evolution in the Fast Lane: Diversity, Ecology, and Speciation of Cichlids in the lower Congo River.- Neotropical Riverine Cichlids: Adaptive Radiation and Macroevolution at Continental Scales.- Sympatric and Allopatric Diversification in the Adaptive Radiation of Midas Cichlids in Nicaraguan Lakes.- The Consequences of Anthropogenic Stressors on Cichlid Fish Communities: Revisiting Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, and Nabugabo.- Rapid Evolutionary Responses in Cichlids: Genetics of Adaptation, Morphology and Taxonomic Implications.- Identifying and Conserving Tilapiine Cichlid Species in the 21st Century.- Introduced Cichlids in the Americas: Distribution Patterns, Invasion Ecology, and Impacts.- The Evolutionary Ecology of Cichlid Vision.- The Mechanosensory Lateral Line System of Cichlid Fishes: From Anatomy to Behavior.- Sonic Cichlids.- The Evolution of Enhanced Cichlid Hearing: Functional Morphology and the Role of Ecoacoustical Factors.- Parental Care in Cichlid Fishes.- Cichlids as a model system for studying social behaviour and evolution.- Integrative Neurobiology of Social Behavior in Cichlid Fish.- Respiratory Ecology of Cichlids.- Feeding Ecology of Lake Tanganyika Cichlids.- Patterns of Trophic Evolution: Integration and Modularity of the Cichlid Skull.- An Evo-devo View of Post-genomic African Cichlid Biology: Enhanced Models for Evolution and Biomedicine.