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

Types of Selection01:46

Types of Selection

42.3K
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...
42.3K
Conservation of Declining Populations02:07

Conservation of Declining Populations

9.8K
Conservation of declining population focuses on ways of detecting, diagnosing, and halting a population decline. The approach uses methods to prevent populations from going extinct.
9.8K
Mate Choice01:20

Mate Choice

10.8K
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.
10.8K
Formation of Species01:31

Formation of Species

43.1K
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.
43.1K
Hybrid Zones02:29

Hybrid Zones

20.5K
Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.
20.5K
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

19.9K
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
19.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Divergent population trajectories despite similar response to temperature in a widespread aerial insectivore.

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

The effects of humidity on thermoregulatory physiology of a small songbird.

The Journal of experimental biology·2024
Same author

Adaptive and non-adaptive convergent evolution in feather reflectance of California Channel Islands songbirds.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2023
Same author

Parameterizing mechanistic niche models in biophysical ecology: a review of empirical approaches.

The Journal of experimental biology·2023
Same author

Seasonal patterns of dietary partitioning in vertebrates.

Ecology letters·2022
Same author

Strong yet incomplete reproductive isolation in <i>Vermivora</i> is not contradicted by other lines of evidence: A reply to Toews et al.

Ecology and evolution·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

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

6.2K

Performance Trade-Offs and Resource Availability Drive Variation in Reproductive Isolation between Sympatrically

Cody K Porter, Craig W Benkman

    The American Naturalist
    |February 17, 2022
    PubMed
    Summary

    Speciation is more likely when strong performance trade-offs align with reproduction. However, abundant resources weaken this link, potentially explaining why sympatric speciation is rare in many species.

    Keywords:
    Loxia curvirostraecological speciationperformance trade-offsreproductive isolationresource availabilitysympatric speciation

    More Related Videos

    Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients
    07:34

    Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

    Published on: August 22, 2018

    8.4K
    Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
    09:34

    Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

    Published on: August 22, 2013

    14.8K

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Oct 3, 2025

    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

    6.2K
    Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients
    07:34

    Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

    Published on: August 22, 2018

    8.4K
    Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila
    09:34

    Assessing Differences in Sperm Competitive Ability in Drosophila

    Published on: August 22, 2013

    14.8K

    Area of Science:

    • Evolutionary biology
    • Speciation research
    • Ecology

    Background:

    • Theoretical models suggest speciation, particularly sympatric speciation, is favored by strong performance trade-offs coinciding with reproduction.
    • Reproductive isolation is crucial for maintaining distinct species, even when gene flow is possible.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To test the hypothesis that strong performance trade-offs enhance reproductive isolation in sympatric populations.
    • To investigate the role of resource availability in modulating the relationship between performance trade-offs and speciation.

    Main Methods:

    • Quantified three prezygotic reproductive isolating barriers: habitat isolation, reduced immigrant fecundity, and behavioral isolation.
    • Examined two young (~2,000 years) sympatric red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) ecotypes.
    • Assessed the strength of performance trade-offs and resource availability during breeding.

    Main Results:

    • All three reproductive isolating barriers increased with stronger performance trade-offs, leading to significant total reproductive isolation (0.72-1.0).
    • Strong trade-offs promoted habitat isolation, reduced breeding in unsuitable habitats, and increased assortative flocking, enhancing behavioral isolation.
    • Increased resource availability weakened the link between performance trade-offs and reproductive isolation, diminishing divergence.

    Conclusions:

    • Performance trade-offs are a key driver of reproductive isolation and sympatric speciation, especially under limited resources.
    • Abundant resources can override the effects of trade-offs, hindering evolutionary divergence and explaining the rarity of sympatric speciation.
    • Findings highlight the ecological conditions influencing the likelihood of speciation events.