ScienceAugust 11, 2026
cichlid
SIK-lid
Definition
A family of freshwater fish species known for rapid evolution and diversification, frequently studied in genetics to understand the impacts of hybridization.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek word 'kichlē', referring to a type of sea wrasse, which was adopted into the scientific family name Cichlidae to classify these specific freshwater fish.
In the news
The article references 'cichlid' fish as a primary example of how ancient hybridization events can drive rapid adaptive radiations, which are key to understanding species evolution.
Genetics and genomics of hybridization
Read the full article ↗Nature