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Related Experiment Videos

Dualism and conflicts in understanding speciation.

M Schilthuizen1

  • 1Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. schilthuizen@excite.com

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
|November 21, 2000
PubMed
Summary
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The isolation theory of speciation, focusing on reproductive isolation, may be outdated. New data suggest environmental selection in large populations drives speciation, even with gene flow.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Speciation Research

Background:

  • The dominant "isolation" theory of speciation emphasizes reproductive isolation over natural selection.
  • This framework, developed by Mayr and Dobzhansky, posits gene flow hinders speciation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the prevailing "isolation" theory of speciation.
  • To propose an alternative model where environmental selection is the primary driver of speciation.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing speciation theories.
  • Analysis of new data from field ecology, molecular population genetics, Drosophila laboratory studies, and computer simulations.

Main Results:

  • The "isolation" theory creates irreconcilable debates in speciation (e.g., species definition, sympatry/allopatry).

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  • Environmental selection in large populations, despite gene flow, appears to be the decisive factor in speciation.
  • Traditional focus on reproductive isolation has neglected the role of environmental and mate selection.

    • Conclusions:

    • The "isolation" theory may no longer be the most effective framework for understanding speciation.
    • Environmental selection, not solely reproductive isolation, is crucial for speciation.
    • Further research should explore the interplay between environmental selection and mate choice in speciation.