The Bathyclarias-Clarias species flock. A new model to understand rapid speciation in African Great lakes

Phylogenetic relationships between seven species of the catfish species flo ck from Lake Malawi (genus Bathyclarias) and other Clariid catfish have bee n investigated using cytochrome b partial sequences. Here we demonstrate th at this species flock originated from a widespread, generalist species, Cla rias gariepinus, still occurring in the lake. Bathyclarias species and thei r ancestor C. gariepinus form a simple model that can be used to understand the mechanisms of adaptation and rapid speciation in African Great lakes. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.