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Reinforcement drives rapid allopatric speciation.
Conrad J Hoskin1, Megan Higgie, Keith R McDonald
1School of Integrative Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia. c.hoskin@sib.uq.edu.au
Nature
|October 28, 2005
Summary
Speciation by reinforcement can rapidly drive populations apart. Natural selection against hybridization in contact zones can cause populations to diverge, even from their own species main range.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Speciation Research
- Behavioral Ecology
Background:
- Allopatric speciation occurs via geographic isolation, leading to gradual reproductive isolation.
- Speciation by reinforcement is driven by natural selection against hybridization, promoting rapid divergence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if reinforcing natural selection in a mosaic contact zone can drive divergence.
- To test the potential for reinforcement to cause rapid allopatric speciation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized molecular data, experimental crosses, and field measurements.
- Conducted mate choice experiments in a mosaic contact zone of rainforest frogs.
Main Results:
- Observed significant premating isolation in a contact zone population.
- This population diverged not only from the other lineage but also from its own allopatric range.
Conclusions:
- Reinforcing natural selection can lead to rapid divergence and reproductive isolation.
- Demonstrated the potential for reinforcement to drive rapid allopatric speciation.
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