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Postzygotic genetic incompatibility between sympatric color morphs.

Sarah R Pryke¹, Simon C Griffith

¹Centre for the Integrative Study of Animal Behaviour, Department of Brain, Behaviour and Evolution, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia. sarah.pryke@mq.edu.au

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution

|December 18, 2008

Summary

Genetic incompatibility between red and black Gouldian finch color morphs causes significant offspring mortality. This postzygotic isolation limits gene flow, suggesting these morphs may be in early stages of speciation.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Speciation research
Animal genetics

Background:

Color morphs within species are generally expected to interbreed freely.
However, selection can sometimes lead to nonrandom mating and reduced gene flow between morphs.
Postzygotic isolation is a key factor in speciation, limiting gene flow between diverging populations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the extent of postzygotic isolation between sympatric red and black color morphs of the Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae).
To determine if genetic incompatibility limits gene flow between these color morphs.
To assess the role of postzygotic barriers in the speciation process of Gouldian finches.

Main Methods:

Utilized a balanced within-female experimental design to facilitate pure and mixed morph crosses.
Quantified offspring inviability across different developmental stages (prehatching, juvenile, adulthood).
Analyzed mortality patterns, particularly in relation to sex, to test for Haldane's rule.

Main Results:

Significant postzygotic incompatibility was observed, with over 30% inviability in offspring from mixed morph crosses.
Mortality effects were consistent across developmental stages and independent of environmental factors.
Mortality was significantly higher (43.6%) in the heterogametic sex (daughters), aligning with Haldane's rule.

Conclusions:

Postzygotic genetic incompatibility significantly restricts gene flow between red and black Gouldian finch morphs.
The observed incompatibilities and sex-biased mortality suggest these morphs are undergoing incomplete speciation.
Gouldian finch color morphs may represent a model system for studying the dynamics of speciation and hybridization.