What does the geographical separation between New World and Old World cichlids suggest about their common ancestor?
Answer
It likely existed before the complete breakup of Gondwana, or subsequent dispersal events were highly successful but isolated.
Analyzing the geographical split between Old World and New World cichlids implies deep biogeographical history, suggesting their shared ancestor existed prior to the full fragmentation of the supercontinent Gondwana, or that later dispersal events led to isolated evolution.
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