scholarly journals Assortative mating in hybrid zones is remarkably ineffective in promoting speciation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren E. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Assortative Mating ◽  
F1 Hybrids ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Mating Types ◽  
Postzygotic Isolation ◽  
Small Reduction ◽  
Hybrid Fitness ◽  
Prezygotic Isolation ◽  
Two Populations

AbstractAssortative mating and other forms of partial prezygotic isolation are often viewed as being more important than partial postzygotic isolation (low fitness of hybrids) early in the process of speciation. Here I simulate secondary contact between two populations (‘species’) to examine effects of pre- and postzygotic isolation in preventing blending. A small reduction in hybrid fitness (e.g., 10%) produces a narrower hybrid zone than a strong but imperfect mating preference (e.g., 10x stronger preference for conspecific over heterospecific mates). This is because, in the latter case, rare F1 hybrids find each other attractive (due to assortative mating), leading to the gradual buildup of a full continuum of intermediates between the two species. The cline is narrower than would result from purely neutral diffusion over the same number of generations, largely due to the frequency-dependent mating disadvantage of individuals of rare mating types. Hybrids tend to pay this cost of rarity more than pure individuals, meaning there is an induced postzygotic isolation effect of assortative mating. These results prompt a questioning of the concept of partial prezygotic isolation, since it is not very isolating unless there is also postzygotic isolation.

scholarly journals Mass of genes rather than master genes underlie the genomic architecture of amphibian speciation

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (36) ◽  
pp. e2103963118
Author(s):  
Christophe Dufresnes ◽  
Alan Brelsford ◽  
Daniel L. Jeffries ◽  
Glib Mazepa ◽  
Tomasz Suchan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Delimitation ◽  
Genetic Architecture ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Postzygotic Isolation ◽  
Hybrid Fitness ◽  
Behavioral Isolation ◽  
Genomic Architecture ◽  
Master Genes ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
Gradual Accumulation

The genetic architecture of speciation, i.e., how intrinsic genomic incompatibilities promote reproductive isolation (RI) between diverging lineages, is one of the best-kept secrets of evolution. To directly assess whether incompatibilities arise in a limited set of large-effect speciation genes, or in a multitude of loci, we examined the geographic and genomic landscapes of introgression across the hybrid zones of 41 pairs of frog and toad lineages in the Western Palearctic region. As the divergence between lineages increases, phylogeographic transitions progressively become narrower, and larger parts of the genome resist introgression. This suggests that anuran speciation proceeds through a gradual accumulation of multiple barrier loci scattered across the genome, which ultimately deplete hybrid fitness by intrinsic postzygotic isolation, with behavioral isolation being achieved only at later stages. Moreover, these loci were disproportionately sex linked in one group (Hyla) but not in others (Rana and Bufotes), implying that large X-effects are not necessarily a rule of speciation with undifferentiated sex chromosomes. The highly polygenic nature of RI and the lack of hemizygous X/Z chromosomes could explain why the speciation clock ticks slower in amphibians compared to other vertebrates. The clock-like dynamics of speciation combined with the analytical focus on hybrid zones offer perspectives for more standardized practices of species delimitation.

scholarly journals A Study of Hybridization Between Marmota baibacina and M. sibirica in Their Secondary Contact Zone in Mongolian Altai

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg V. Brandler ◽  
Svetlana Yu. Kapustina ◽  
Alexander A. Nikol’skii ◽  
Viacheslav V. Kolesnikov ◽  
Bair B. Badmaev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
F1 Hybrids ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Environmental Preferences ◽  
Mongolian Altai ◽  
Behavioral Features ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Secondary Contact Zone

The role of hybridization as one of the factors of speciation in mammals has been underestimated for a long time, but now there is a lot of data on its impact in mammalian evolution. Hybridization of species often occurs in their secondary contact zones, which is a natural model for testing factors that ensure species integrity. Studies of hybrid zones are increasingly revealing the essential role of ecological and behavioral features both in initiating crossbreeding and in maintaining interspecific barriers. We studied the hybridization of two species of marmots Marmota baibacina and M. sibirica in the zone of sympatry in Mongolian Altai Mountains. We used a bioacoustic approach to determine the localization of individuals of different species and their cohabitation sites. Genetic typing with two diploid nuclear markers and one marker each of paternal and maternal lines was used to identify hybrids. Habitat preferences of marmots were studied to understand the conditions for the formation of heterospecific pairs. We found a high proportion of hybrid individuals in boulder screes where conditions for the formation of heterospecific pairs probably exist. Our data indicate the viability and fertility of F1 hybrids and their descendants. We hypothesize that the environmental preferences and behavioral features of both species of marmots are important factors that both create conditions for hybridization and limit hybrid dispersal.

scholarly journals The effects of frequency-dependent sexual selection, mating-trait architecture and matching rule on hybrid zone dynamics in crows

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk Metzler ◽  
Ulrich Knief ◽  
Joshua V. Peñalba ◽  
Jochen B. W. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Hybrid Zone ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Moderate Degree ◽  
Matching Rule ◽  
Trait Loci ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Hooded Crows

AbstractHybrid zones provide a window into the evolutionary processes governing species divergence. While the role of postzygotic isolation has been extensively characterized in the context of hybrid zones, the contribution of prezygotic isolation is less well explored. In particular, the effect of assortative mate choice, the underlying preference function, the architecture of the mating trait and the strength of sexual selection are worthy of investigation. Here, we explore this question by means of a mathematical model parameterized with empirical data from the hybrid zone between all-black carrion and grey-coated hooded crows. The best-fit model resulted in narrow clines for two mating-trait loci coding for colour phenotype maintained by a moderate degree of assortative mating. Epistasis between the two loci induced hybrid-zone movement in favor of alleles conveying dark plumage followed by a shift in the opposite direction favouring grey-coated phenotypes ∼1,200 generations after secondary contact. Unlinked neutral loci diffused near-unimpeded across the zone. This study demonstrates that sexual selection created by assortative mating can explain steep transitions in mating-trait loci without generalizing to genome-wide reproductive isolation. It further emphasizes the importance of mating-trait architecture for spatio–temporal hybrid-zone dynamics.

scholarly journals Ecological divergence in sympatry causes gene misregulation in hybrids

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. McGirr ◽  
Christopher H. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
F1 Hybrids ◽  
Adaptive Divergence ◽  
Lower Hybrid ◽  
Hybrid Fitness ◽  
Hybrid Gene ◽  
San Salvador ◽  
Ecological Selection

AbstractEcological speciation occurs when reproductive isolation evolves as a byproduct of adaptive divergence between populations. However, it is unknown whether divergent ecological selection on gene regulation can directly cause reproductive isolation. Selection favoring regulatory divergence between species could result in gene misregulation in F1 hybrids and ultimately lower hybrid fitness. We combined 58 resequenced genomes with 124 transcriptomes to test this hypothesis in a young, sympatric radiation of Cyprinodon pupfishes endemic to San Salvador Island, Bahamas, which consists of a dietary generalist and two novel trophic specialists – a molluscivore and a scale-eater. We found more differential gene expression between closely related sympatric specialists than between allopatric generalist populations separated by 1000 km. Intriguingly, 9.6% of genes that were differentially expressed between sympatric species were also misregulated in their F1 hybrids. Consistent with divergent ecological selection causing misregulation, a subset of these genes were in highly differentiated genomic regions and enriched for functions important for trophic specialization, including head, muscle, and brain development. These regions also included genes that showed evidence of hard selective sweeps and were significantly associated with oral jaw length – the most rapidly diversifying skeletal trait in this radiation. Our results indicate that divergent ecological selection in sympatry can cause hybrid gene misregulation which may act as a primary reproductive barrier between nascent species.SignificanceIt is unknown whether the same genes that regulate ecological traits can simultaneously contribute to reproductive barriers between species. We measured gene expression in two trophic specialist species of Cyprinodon pupfishes that rapidly diverged from a generalist ancestor. We found genes differentially expressed between species that also showed extreme expression levels in their hybrid offspring. Many of these genes showed signs of selection and have putative effects on the development of traits that are important for ecological specialization. This suggests that genetic variants contributing to adaptive trait divergence between parental species negatively interact to cause hybrid gene misregulation, potentially producing unfit hybrids. Such loci may be important barriers to gene flow during the early stages of speciation, even in sympatry.

scholarly journals Sperm quality parameters are increased and asymmetric in house mouse hybrids

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Martincová ◽  
Ľudovít Ďureje ◽  
Stuart J. E. Baird ◽  
Jaroslav Piálek
Keyword(s):  
Y Chromosome ◽  
House Mouse ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
F1 Hybrids ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Male Fitness ◽  
Cross Direction ◽  
Sperm Trait ◽  
The Difference

AbstractSpermatogenesis is a tuned cascade of processes producing sperm; impairment of any phase of this process can affect fitness of males. The level of impairment can be pronounced in hybrids between genetically divergent populations. To explore the effect of hybridization on sperm quality we produced F1 hybrids from 29 wild derived strains of two house mouse subspecies, M. m. musculus and M. m. domesticus, which diverged 0.5 MY ago. The measured sperm quality traits did not significantly differ between intrasubspecific crosses. Effects of intersubspecific hybridization were dependent on sperm trait and cross direction. The proportion of sperm head abnormalities was increased in F1 intersubspecific hybrids. The frequency of dissociated sperm heads was increased in the M. m. musculus × M. m. domesticus (♀×♂) F1 but decreased in M. m. domesticus × M. m. musculus (♀×♂) F1 hybrids, with the difference in medians being more than 180%. We deduce that the dissociated sperm heads trait is associated with the X chromosome and modulated by interaction with the Y chromosome; nevertheless, the high proportion of unexplained variance (55.46 %) suggests the presence of polymorphic autosomal interactions. The reported differences in sperm quality between cross types may be highly relevant to male fitness in zones of secondary contact between the two subspecies. The cross direction asymmetry in frequency of dissociated sperm heads should favour the M. m. musculus Y chromosome. This is consistent with the spread of the M. m. musculus Y chromosome in nature across the hybrid zone between these two subspecies.

scholarly journals Morphologically cryptic Amazonian bird species pairs exhibit strong postzygotic reproductive isolation

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1874) ◽  
pp. 20172081 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Pulido-Santacruz ◽  
Alexandre Aleixo ◽  
Jason T. Weir
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Hybrid Index ◽  
Postzygotic Isolation ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Hybrid Classes

We possess limited understanding of how speciation unfolds in the most species-rich region of the planet—the Amazon basin. Hybrid zones provide valuable information on the evolution of reproductive isolation, but few studies of Amazonian vertebrate hybrid zones have rigorously examined the genome-wide underpinnings of reproductive isolation. We used genome-wide genetic datasets to show that two deeply diverged, but morphologically cryptic sister species of forest understorey birds show little evidence for prezygotic reproductive isolation, but substantial postzygotic isolation. Patterns of heterozygosity and hybrid index revealed that hybrid classes with heavily recombined genomes are rare and closely match simulations with high levels of selection against hybrids. Genomic and geographical clines exhibit a remarkable similarity across loci in cline centres, and have exceptionally narrow cline widths, suggesting that postzygotic isolation is driven by genetic incompatibilities at many loci, rather than a few loci of strong effect. We propose Amazonian understorey forest birds speciate slowly via gradual accumulation of postzygotic genetic incompatibilities, with prezygotic barriers playing a less important role. Our results suggest old, cryptic Amazonian taxa classified as subspecies could have substantial postzygotic isolation deserving species recognition and that species richness is likely to be substantially underestimated in Amazonia.

The distribution and biogeography of slow worms (Anguis, Squamata) across the Western Palearctic, with an emphasis on secondary contact zones

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Daniel Jablonski ◽  
Neftalí Sillero ◽  
Oleksandra Oskyrko ◽  
Adriana Bellati ◽  
Andris Čeirāns ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Grey Zone ◽  
Contact Zones ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Western Palearctic ◽  
Southern Balkans

Abstract The slow-worm lizards (Anguis) comprise five species occurring throughout most of the Western Palearctic. Although these species are relatively uniform morphologically – with the exception of A. cephallonica, which exhibits a quite unique morphology – they are genetically deeply divergent. Here, we provide detailed distribution maps for each species and discuss their biogeography and conservation based on updated genetic data and a robust distribution database. We pay particular attention to the so called ‘grey zone’, which typically represents secondary contact zones and in some cases confirmed or presumed hybrid zones. Four of the five species live in parapatry, while only two species, A. cephallonica and A. graeca from the southern Balkans occur in partial sympatry. Further research should focus on the eco-evolutionary interactions between species in contact, including their hybridization rates, to reveal deeper details of the slow-worm evolutionary and natural history.

A revision of the shield-back katydid genus Neduba (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae: Nedubini)

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4910 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-92
Author(s):  
JEFFREY A. COLE ◽  
DAVID B. WEISSMAN ◽  
DAVID C. LIGHTFOOT ◽  
NORIHIRO UESHIMA ◽  
ELŻBIETA WARCHAŁOWSKA-ŚLIWA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Hybrid Zones ◽  
Environmental Disturbance ◽  
Western North America ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

The Nearctic shield-back katydid genus Neduba is revised. Species boundaries were demarcated by molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphology, quantitative analysis of calling songs, and karyotypes. Nine previously described species are redescribed: N. carinata, N. castanea, N. convexa, N. diabolica, N. extincta, N. macneilli, N. propsti, N. sierranus, and N. steindachneri, and twelve new species are described: N. ambagiosa sp. n., N. arborea sp. n., N. cascadia sp. n., N. duplocantans sp. n., N. inversa sp. n., N. longiplutea sp. n., N. lucubrata sp. n., N. oblongata sp. n., N. prorocantans sp. n., N. radicata sp. n., N. radocantans sp. n., and N. sequoia sp. n. We chose a lectotype for N. steindachneri and transferred N. picturata from a junior synonym of N. diabolica to a junior synonym of N. steindachneri. Diversification in this relict group reflects cycles of allopatric isolation and secondary contact amidst the tumultuous, evolving geography of western North America. The taxonomy and phylogenies presented in this revision lay the groundwork for studies of speciation, biogeography, hybrid zones, and behavioral evolution. Given that one Neduba species is already extinct from human environmental disturbance, we suggest conservation priorities for the genus. 

scholarly journals Geographical variation in postzygotic isolation and its genetic basis within and between two Mimulus species

2010 ◽  
Vol 365 (1552) ◽  
pp. 2469-2478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noland H. Martin ◽  
John H. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Fertility ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Interspecific Cross ◽  
Local Scale ◽  
Interspecific Crosses ◽  
Postzygotic Isolation ◽  
Hybrid Fitness ◽  
Pure Species ◽  
Geographical Scale ◽  
Germination Success

The aim of this study is to investigate the evolution of intrinsic postzygotic isolation within and between populations of Mimulus guttatus and Mimulus nasutus . We made 17 intraspecific and interspecific crosses, across a wide geographical scale. We examined the seed germination success and pollen fertility of reciprocal F 1 and F 2 hybrids and their pure-species parents, and used biometrical genetic tests to distinguish among alternative models of inheritance. Hybrid seed inviability was sporadic in both interspecific and intraspecific crosses. For several crosses, Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities involving nuclear genes were implicated, while two interspecific crosses revealed evidence of cytonuclear interactions. Reduced hybrid pollen fertility was found to be greatly influenced by Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities in five out of six intraspecific crosses and nine out of 11 interspecific crosses. Cytonuclear incompatibilities reduced hybrid fitness in only one intraspecific and one interspecific cross. This study suggests that intrinsic postzygotic isolation is common in hybrids between these Mimulus species, yet the particular hybrid incompatibilities responsible for effecting this isolation differ among the populations tested. Hence, we conclude that they evolve and spread only at the local scale.

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