Coexistence of Clones in a Heterogeneous Environment

Abstract

Two genetically distinct clones of the asexual triploid fish Poeciliopsis 2 monacha-lucida inhabit the Rio del Fuerte of northwestern Mexico. Their coexistence apparently depends on feeding specializations that result in partitioning of the limited food resources in the desert streams. The findings suggest that these asexual organisms have sufficient clonal diversity to occupy a broad, heterogeneous, adaptive zone.