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We advocate the development of genome sequences from cichlid fishes to support research into the genetic mechanisms which have contributed to the diversification of vertebrates. Cichlids have undergone a spectacular radiation in the lakes of East Africa which has generated a collection of ‘natural mutants ’ that are amenable to genetic analysis in the laboratory. Cichlids exhibit tremendous diversity in features, such as jaws, teeth and pigmentation, that are derived from the neural crest. They also exhibit an extraordinary diversity and plasticity of behavior, which has contributed to their rapid speciation. Cichlids are perhaps the model system for understanding evolutionary mechanisms in vertebrates. We request a total of 10Gb of sequence from this group. The Nile tilapia is the obvious candidate for full (5x) draft assembly in this group, because of the availability of homozygous clonal lines and extensive genetic and physical maps for this species. To complement this we request low-density draft coverage of three closely related haplochromine cichlids: Astatotilapia burtoni from Lake Tanganyika, Paralabidichromis chilotes from Lake Victoria and Metriaclima zebra from Lake Malawi, Comparisons among these species will help identify genetic changes responsible for the remarkable morphological and behavioral radiation of cichlids in the lakes o