Adaptive, pre-adaptive and non-adaptive components of radiations in ancient lakes: a review

Abstract

Ancient lakes are ideal model systems for evolutionary studies, as they hold hundreds of endemic species. The vast majority of these still occur in the cradle of their origin. We distinguish three different modes of speciation (allo-, para- and sympatric) which have occurred in these habitats. Although radiations from ancient lakes are generally assumed to be adaptive, we cannot fully support this point of view, because non-adaptive radiations also appear to be common, for example through chromosomal changes, hybridization or sexual selection. Even in supposedly adaptive cladogenesis, e.g. as concerns the presumed trophic adaptations of cichlid (Pisces) mouth and tooth shapes, both adaptive and non-adaptive components are acting. Distribution patterns of non-marine ostracods (Crustacea) within and outside of ancient lakes indicate that sexual reproduction might be an additional requirement for successful radiations in ancient lakes, at least in certain groups. This can best be understood by invoking ecology-based hypotheses on the evolutionary superiority of sexual reproduction such as Fisher–Muller accelerated evolution and the Tangled Bank.