Females of other species, such as Orthopharyx argyrosoma, simply mate with those who reside in the center of a breeding arena. For the African cichlids, the critical parameters of mating success among males are variation in either the intensity of coloration or the form of the mating platforms. Female selection for bright colors and elaborate bowers provides the key to understanding the extraordinary number of cichlid species.
Sexual selection is an accelerator of speciation.
Slight variations in female preferences among males of different populations can lead to complete reproductive isolation. Females of one species of rock-dwelling cichlids prefer blue males, whereas females of sibling species prefer males with red fins. Females of a drab sand-dwelling species prefer males with the largest sand castle, while others prefer males with a complex array of multiple castles. In 1861, Kirk collected for two months in southern portions of Lake Malawi, including Cape Maclear. In 1875, on the shores of the southern portion of Lake Malawi, the first Livingstonia mission was established by the Scottish Presbyterian Church.