Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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...
Speciation Rates01:07

Speciation Rates

Speciation can proceed at markedly different rates, and evolutionary biologists commonly describe these differences through the models of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Both patterns explain how new species arise, but they differ in the tempo and continuity of evolutionary change. In both cases, evolutionary change arises from heritable variation within populations, with natural selection often shaping traits that improve survival and reproduction under specific environmental conditions.
Natural Selection and Mating Preferences01:06

Natural Selection and Mating Preferences

The principle of natural selection posits that organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This principle is closely intertwined with mating preferences, a key aspect of sexual selection, which evolutionary psychologists believe is driven by instincts to propagate one's genes. Such instincts significantly influence mating behaviors and preferences between genders.
Females, due to their biological roles in conception, pregnancy, and nursing, inherently...
Formation of Species01:31

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.Allopatric SpeciationIn allopatric speciation, gene flow between two populations of the same species is prevented by a geographic barrier, like...
Types of Selection01:46

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...
Mate Choice01:20

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Ancestral splice variation is a key substrate for rapid diversification in African cichlids.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

From Permits to Samples: Addressing Key Challenges for High-Quality Reference Genome Generation in Europe.

Molecular ecology resources·2026
Same author

Fossil evidence for trait diversification in an adaptive radiation.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Recent and Rapid Assembly of an Island Species-Area Relationship Threatened by Human Disturbance.

Ecology letters·2025
Same author

Hi-reComb: constructing recombination maps from bulk gamete Hi-C sequencing.

Genetics·2025
Same author

Postglacial Echoes: Parasite Genomics Uncover Environmental Changes in Postglacial European Lakes.

Molecular ecology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern
04:10

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

Published on: March 8, 2020

Ecology, sexual selection and speciation.

Martine E Maan1, Ole Seehausen

  • 1Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. martine.maan@eawag.ch

Ecology Letters
|March 8, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sexual selection drives animal trait diversity and speciation, but its interplay with natural selection is understudied. Interactions between sexual selection and environmental differences show strong potential for population divergence.

More Related Videos

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments
09:03

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

Basic Methods for the Study of Reproductive Ecology of Fish in Aquaria
07:25

Basic Methods for the Study of Reproductive Ecology of Fish in Aquaria

Published on: July 20, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern
04:10

Visually Sexing Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) Using Plumage Coloration and Pattern

Published on: March 8, 2020

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments
09:03

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

Basic Methods for the Study of Reproductive Ecology of Fish in Aquaria
07:25

Basic Methods for the Study of Reproductive Ecology of Fish in Aquaria

Published on: July 20, 2017

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Speciation Research

Background:

  • Sexual selection drives diverse animal traits, potentially leading to speciation.
  • Speciation research often overlooks the ecological context of sexual selection.
  • Natural selection impacts both sexual traits and preferences, yet its role in speciation alongside sexual selection is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review empirical literature on the interaction between natural and sexual selection in speciation.
  • To assess the evidence for various mechanisms driving speciation through combined selection pressures.
  • To highlight the role of environmental heterogeneity in mediating these interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of empirical studies on natural and sexual selection interactions.
  • Analysis of evidence for proposed mechanisms of selection-driven speciation.
  • Synthesis of findings regarding ecological context and population divergence.

Main Results:

  • Convincing evidence for most proposed interaction mechanisms is limited.
  • Strong support exists for diversifying effects arising from sexual selection interacting with environmental heterogeneity.
  • The ecological context significantly influences the interplay of natural and sexual selection.

Conclusions:

  • Interactions between sexual selection and environmental heterogeneity can drive population divergence.
  • Further research integrating behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary approaches is needed.
  • A comprehensive understanding of speciation requires considering both natural and sexual selection within ecological frameworks.