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The relationship between postmating reproductive isolation and reinforcement in Phlox
Sevan S Suni1,2,3, Robin Hopkins1,2
1The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, 1300 Centre Street, Boston, MA 02131.
Summary
Reinforcement, a process driving speciation, involves selection against costly hybridization. This study found reproductive isolation (RI) in Phlox species is linked to hybridization frequency, not its cost.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Speciation Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Speciation involves accumulating reproductive isolation (RI) between diverging lineages.
- Reinforcement, driven by selection against costly hybridization, promotes prezygotic RI and phenotypic divergence.
- The strength of reinforcement depends on hybridization costs and frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the cost of hybridization in Phlox species, a model for reinforcement.
- Quantify postmating RI barriers to understand reinforcement's impact.
- Assess RI variability within species and its association with phylogenetic relatedness.
Main Methods:
- Quantified postmating reproductive isolation (RI) barriers among Phlox species.
- Compared RI strength in lineages with and without reinforcement.
- Analyzed RI variability within species and its correlation with phylogenetic relatedness.
Main Results:
- High RI was observed in Phlox species that underwent reinforcement-driven phenotypic divergence.
- Significant RI was also found between other species pairs, indicating complex isolation patterns.
- Extensive within-species variability in RI was detected, with no association with phylogenetic relatedness.
Conclusions:
- Phenotypic divergence due to reinforcement in Phlox is associated with hybridization and introgression frequency.
- The cost of hybridization does not appear to be the primary driver of reinforcement in this clade.
- Further research should explore the role of introgression dynamics in speciation.
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