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The speed of ecological speciation.
Andrew P Hendry1, Patrik Nosil, Loren H Rieseberg
1Redpath Museum and Department of Biology, McGill University, 859 Sherbrooke St W., Montréal, Québec, H3A 2K6, Canada.
Functional Ecology
|December 20, 2008
Summary
Reproductive isolation can evolve rapidly through ecological adaptation, occurring in dozens to hundreds of generations. This contemporary evolution drives adaptive divergence and ecological speciation in various organisms.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Ecology
- Speciation Science
Background:
- Adaptation occurs on ecological timescales, known as contemporary evolution.
- Adaptive divergence can lead to reproductive isolation, termed ecological speciation.
- Reproductive isolation is predicted to evolve on ecological timescales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the theoretical and empirical evidence for reproductive isolation evolving on ecological timescales.
- To examine studies demonstrating the rapid evolution of reproductive barriers.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of ecological differences driving reproductive barrier evolution.
- Review and detailed examination of empirical studies across different taxa.
- Analysis of barriers such as dispersal rate, habitat preference, and selection against migrants/hybrids.
Main Results:
- Theoretical models show partial reproductive barriers evolving in dozens to hundreds of generations.
- Empirical evidence from plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates supports rapid reproductive isolation.
- Observed barriers include altered flowering times, host preferences, assortative mating, and reduced gene flow.
Conclusions:
- Ecological speciation can commence within dozens of generations.
- Contemporary evolution provides a mechanism for the rapid formation of reproductive isolation.
- Further research is needed to understand the extent of ecological speciation.
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