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The ecological stage maintains preference differentiation and promotes speciation
Janette W Boughman1, Maria R Servedio2
1Department of Integrative Biology; Ecology, Evolution & Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
Ecology Letters
|January 22, 2022
Summary
New speciation models show how distinct female mating preferences for male traits can drive reproductive isolation. This occurs when preferences link male condition and environmental matching, even with independent genetic traits.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Speciation research
- Sexual selection dynamics
Background:
- Existing models of speciation via sexual selection often assume a single, universal male display preference.
- Alternatively, some models propose population-specific genetic adaptations for displays and preferences.
- However, many related species exhibit distinct traits, challenging these simpler models.
Discussion:
- This study introduces a novel model of speciation under secondary contact.
- It proposes that females maintain preferences for divergent male displays.
- These displays signal both male condition and adaptation to specific environments, promoting reproductive isolation.
Key Insights:
- Reproductive isolation can evolve through female preferences for condition-dependent displays that match local environments.
- This mechanism operates even with independent genetic loci for displays and preferences, and includes search costs.
- Preferences can arise from pre-existing genetic variations (standing variation).
Outlook:
- The model explains the evolution of diverse sexual displays observed in nature.
- Ecological differences are highlighted as key drivers for divergent female choice benefits.
- This framework could illuminate the mechanisms behind adaptive radiations in sexually selected traits.
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