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Related Concept Videos

Hybrid Zones02:29

Hybrid Zones

Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.Gene flow and natural selection are evolutionary mechanisms that shape the outcome of a hybrid zone. Gene flow...
Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers01:17

Understanding Species and Reproductive Barriers

A species is a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Typically, individuals of the same species appear similar and share common characteristics due to their highly similar genomes. However, not all organisms that look alike are members of the same species. Various mechanisms keep most species discrete. While some mechanisms prevent reproductive behavior and fertilization (pre-zygotic isolation), others prevent the production of fertile offspring after mating has...
Trihybrid Crosses02:27

Trihybrid Crosses

Trihybrid Crosses
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal chance to...
Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.Positive Frequency-Dependent SelectionIn positive...
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.The genetics of speciation involves the different traits or isolating mechanisms preventing gene exchange, leading to reproductive isolation. Reproductive isolation can be due to reproductive barriers that have effects either before or after the formation of a zygote. Pre-zygotic mechanisms prevent fertilization from occurring, and post-zygotic mechanisms...
Law of Independent Assortment02:03

Law of Independent Assortment

While Mendel’s Law of Segregation states that the two alleles for one gene are separated into different gametes, a different question of how different genes are inherited remains. For example, is the gene for tall plants inherited with the gene for green peas? Mendel asked this question by experimenting with a dihybrid cross; a cross in which both parents are homozygous for two distinct traits resulting in an F1 generation that are heterozygous for both traits.

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Related Experiment Video

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Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
05:39

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

Assortative mating and spatial structure in hybrid zones.

Leithen K M'Gonigle1, Richard G FitzJohn

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|September 29, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Computer simulations reveal how long-distance dispersal and assortative mating create and maintain mosaic hybrid zones. These factors generate frequency-dependent selection, stabilizing genetic structure over evolutionary time.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Population Genetics
  • Ecological Genetics

Background:

  • Hybrid zones, where distinct populations interbreed, often display complex spatial genetic patterns.
  • Mosaic hybrid zones, characterized by patchy distributions, have hypothetical explanations but lack theoretical exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To theoretically investigate the roles of dispersal and assortative mating in forming and maintaining mosaic hybrid zone structure.
  • To develop and apply a quantitative method for assessing mosaic structure.

Main Methods:

  • Computer simulations were used to model the effects of dispersal and assortative mating on hybrid zone formation.
  • A novel likelihood method was developed to quantify mosaic structure.
  • The method was applied to both simulated data and empirical genetic data.

Main Results:

  • Long-distance dispersal can initiate patchy distributions, which assortative mating can then reinforce, creating persistent mosaic structures.
  • Assortative mating and selection against heterozygotes can create frequency-dependent selection, favoring rare types within patches.
  • Mosaic structure is maintained across various strengths of assortative mating, with intermediate strengths sometimes yielding higher mosaic levels.

Conclusions:

  • Dispersal and assortative mating are key factors in the formation and persistence of mosaic hybrid zones.
  • Frequency-dependent selection, driven by assortative mating or selection against heterozygotes, stabilizes these structures.
  • Assortative mating likely plays a crucial role in stabilizing the form and structure of observed hybrid zones.