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Biodiversity Paradox of African Rift Lakes: A Study on Cichlids

This PhD project examines the paradox of cichlids in African Rift Lakes, focusing on factors like water level changes, bathymetry, and age influencing biodiversity. Using tailored models, the study explores how environmental variations impact speciation and community dynamics in these lakes. By analyzing the interactions of tectonic drift and biodiversity, the research aims to unravel the mysteries of the African Rift Lakes' unique ecosystems.

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Biodiversity Paradox of African Rift Lakes: A Study on Cichlids

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  1. Paradox of the Cichlidsoutline of my PhD project Thijs Janzen Supervisor: Rampal Etienne Picture courtesy Jen Reynolds

  2. Cichlids

  3. The success of the cichlids • Pharyngeal jaw • Mouthbrooding Barlow 2000

  4. Oliver 2010

  5. The African Rift Lakes

  6. Differences between the lakes

  7. Lake Victoria Lake Tanganyika Lake Malawi

  8. Why should there be more? • Age • Water level • Bathymetry

  9. Waterlevel • Water level changes frequently • King Mwangonde (1820) Owen 1990, Barlow 2000, Salzburger 2002

  10. Why should there be more? • Age • Water level • Bathymetry

  11. Bathymetry Victoria Malawi Tanganyika Talling 1969, Scholz et al. 2007

  12. Water level Water level: 0 m

  13. Water level Water level: -100 m

  14. Water level Water level: -250 m

  15. Water level Water level: -300 m Water level -300 m

  16. Water level Water level: -400 m

  17. Water level Water level: -600 m

  18. Water level Water level: -1000 m

  19. Effects of water level changes • Decrease in lake size • Splitting in proto lakes • Merging of sub-populations after water level rise

  20. Summary of possible causes • Age • Water level • Bathymetry

  21. Research Questions • What external factors determine the differences in biodiversity between the African Rift Lakes? • How does biogeography influence biodiversity?

  22. Approach • Standard neutral model • Influence of environment size • Spatiality • Environmental change • Cyclic environment change • Splitting and merging of communities • Repeated splitting and merging

  23. ApproachTailored model • Check predictions with a tailored version • Correct size of lakes • Include explicit bathymetry • Remodel water level changes

  24. The end • Questions? • Suggestions?

  25. Conformism

  26. Local variability

  27. Picture courtesy Jen Reynolds

  28. Picture courtesy Jen Reynolds

  29. Other stuff to do • Time-scale difference between speciation and environmental change • Interaction between tectonic drift and biodiversity

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