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Reinforcement's incidental effects on reproductive isolation between conspecifics
Aaron A Comeault1, Daniel R Matute1
1Biology Department, University of North Carolina, 250 Bell Tower Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Current Zoology
|March 2, 2018
Summary
Reinforcement, a process strengthening reproductive isolation between species, can incidentally impact populations within species. Cascading effects of reinforcement (CER) are more likely with low gene flow and strong divergent selection.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Speciation Research
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Reinforcement, the strengthening of prezygotic isolation due to maladaptive hybridization, is a key concept in speciation.
- This process can indirectly influence reproductive isolation within species by affecting traits related to mate choice and fertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss the "cascading effects of reinforcement" (CER) on reproductive isolation within species.
- To identify key factors influencing the occurrence and mechanisms of CER.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on reinforcement and its indirect effects.
- Theoretical discussion of mechanisms driving CER.
- Analysis of factors influencing CER likelihood: gene flow, selection strength, and genetic basis of traits.
Main Results:
- CER is predicted to be more likely under conditions of low gene flow between conspecific populations.
- Divergent selection on reinforcement-related phenotypes between sympatric and allopatric populations favors CER.
- Differential genetic responses to parallel reinforcing selection among conspecific populations also promote CER.
Conclusions:
- CER represents an incidental but significant outcome of reinforcement, contributing to reproductive isolation within species.
- Future research on gene flow, selection, and genetic underpinnings is crucial for understanding reinforcement's role in generating biodiversity.