The most likely explanation for the high rate of sympatric speciation that apparently existed among the cichlids of lake victoria in the past is:

a) sexual selection.
b) habitat differentiation.
c) polyploidy.
d) pollution.
e) introduction of a new predator.

Sexual selection is the most likely explanation for the high rate of sympatric speciation.  

•When two groups of the same species thrive in the same location, however, they do not interact with each other the phenomenon of sympatric speciation takes place.  

•In the Lake Victoria, there are two cichlid groups, which do not mate with an individual from the other group.  

•The females show a preference for colorful males as sexual selection is associated with the color genes as a variety of color morphs are present in clear water with a broad light spectrum.  

•In turbid waters, this colorful speciation is ceased making an influence in the process of mating, as females from the light side prefer colorful males under a broad light spectrum, resulting in non selection of males from the group situated in the turbid region as they cannot locate the colors and vice versa.  

•When these groups fails to exchange genes with time formation of new species takes place.  

Thus, the correct answer is option A, that is, sexual selection.

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The most likely explanation for the high rate of sympatric speciation that apparently existed among the cichlids of Lake Victoria in the past is sexual selection.

Explanation:

Divergent sexual and natural selection on the visual system has been confirmed earlier in sympatric, morphologically comparable sister species of Lake Victoria cichlids, but this seems not to reveal the exact morphological variations within them.

Cichlid fish reasonably describe the enormous inventory of standards of speciation and reproductive isolation without geographical or ecological separation.

Most of the recent observations have not confirmed the hypothesis, implying that sexual selection may be effective for the bursting cichlid speciation in the lake. Workroom practices have shown that reproductive isolation of three morphologically comparable species of rock-dwelling cichlid fish.

The answer is seven.