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Evolution in Your Face
by Patrick Huyghe
Omni
Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, is home to more than 300 species of cichlids. These fish, which are popular in aquariums, are deep-bodied and have one nostril, rather than the usual two, on each side of the head. Seismic profiles and cores of the lake taken by a team headed by Thomas C. Johnson of the University of Minnesota, reveal that the lake dried up completely about 12,400 years ago. This means that the rate of speciation of cichlid fishes has been extremely rapid: something on average of one new species every 40 years!

4 posted on 11/12/2009 5:59:25 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: SunkenCiv

“This means that the rate of speciation of cichlid fishes has been extremely rapid: something on average of one new species every 40 years!”

Wow!, I find that rate absolutely astounding.


14 posted on 11/12/2009 6:14:04 PM PST by AussieJoe
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To: SunkenCiv

If it happens that fast then it should be lab observable.


43 posted on 11/13/2009 2:43:00 PM PST by ThanhPhero (di tray hoi den La Vang)
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