Final answer:
In Lake Victoria, hundreds of cichlid fish species developed through adaptive radiation after the last ice age, creating a rich biodiversity. However, the introduction of the Nile perch significantly reduced Cichlid diversity, contributing to the extinction of many species.
Step-by-step explanation:
The light's last strike 12,400 years ago caused an adaptive radiation of cichlid fish species in Lake Victoria. Adaptive radiation is a rapid branching of closely related species into different habitats and niches.
In the case of Lake Victoria cichlids, this process occurred in less than three million years and resulted in the emergence of hundreds of specialized species with unique feeding strategies and habitat preferences. This example highlights the incredible diversity that can arise through adaptive radiation and demonstrates the impact of environmental changes on species divergence.