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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Determination of the Mating Efficiency of Haploids in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: December 2, 2022

SPECIATION BY REINFORCEMENT OF PREMATING ISOLATION.

Lily W Liou¹, Trevor D Price¹

¹Department of Biology, 0116, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, 92093-0116.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution

|June 2, 2017

Summary

Reinforcement, the evolution of reproductive isolation, can occur between populations. This study shows that low hybrid fitness facilitates reinforcement, while gene flow or extinction can prevent it.

Keywords:

Female preference gene flow premating isolation reinforcement reproductive character isolation secondary sexual traits

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Speciation Research
Population Genetics

Background:

Reinforcement describes the evolution of premating isolation when populations have partial or complete postzygotic isolation.
Reproductive character displacement is reinforcement occurring with complete postzygotic isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

To reevaluate the theory of reinforcement using computer simulations and a multilocus genetic model.
To investigate the evolution of female preferences for male secondary sexual traits in the context of reinforcement.

Main Methods:

Computer simulations were employed to model the genetic interactions between populations.
A multilocus genetic model was utilized to assess the conditions favoring reinforcement.

Main Results:

Gene flow, resulting from incomplete postzygotic isolation, can prevent divergence and lead to hybrid swarms.
Population extinction due to hybrid matings is a potential outcome, influenced by factors like hybrid inviability and population growth rates.
Reinforcement can occur under a broad range of genetic and ecological conditions, especially when hybrid fitness is low.

Conclusions:

Low hybrid fitness is a key factor promoting reinforcement.
Stochastic effects on inheritance and population size can also drive reinforcement.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending speciation processes.