Cryptic Diversity and Sexual Selection

2020 ◽  
pp. 447-471
Author(s):  
Matthias Galipaud ◽  
Loïc Bollache ◽  
Clément Lagrue

Recent advances in molecular and genetic techniques have revealed tremendous hidden genetic diversity in plants and animals. Crustaceans are no exception and, in fact, present one of the highest levels of cryptic diversity among the metazoans. Beyond the importance of such discovery and its multiple implications for taxonomy and ecology, it is now timely to investigate the potential causes of cryptic diversity. This chapter reviews the theoretical and experimental literature, seeking evidences for a relationship between sexual selection and cryptic diversity in crustaceans. It proposes three scenarios for the role of sexual selection on the origin and maintenance of pre-mating isolation and genetic divergence among crustacean populations, and suggests ways to discriminate among them experimentally or using existing data. Assuming that taxonomic identification is largely based on differences in sexually selected morphological traits, it also reviews evidence for a cryptic action of sexual selection on crustacean phenotypes. Specifically, if sexual selection acts primarily on chemical, visual, or behavioral traits, it is likely that allopatric crustacean populations remain morphologically similar even when they are reproductively isolated. This review shows that the strength of sexual selection likely differs among allopatric populations but does not seem to consistently induce pre-mating isolation (e.g. as in copepods and amphipods). Research is now needed to try to identify general patterns and determine the role of sexual selection on pre-mating isolation after secondary contact between populations, through reinforcement and reproductive character displacement.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
İsmail K. Sağlam ◽  
Michael R. Miller ◽  
Sean O’Rourke ◽  
Selim S. Çağlar

AbstractWhen incipient species meet in secondary contact, natural selection can rapidly reduce costly reproductive interactions by directly targeting reproductive traits. This process, called reproductive character displacement (RCD), leaves a characteristic pattern of geographic variation where divergence of traits between species is greater in sympatry than allopatry. However, because other forces can also cause similar patterns, care must be given in separating pattern from process. Here we show how the phylo-comparative method together with genomic data can be used to evaluate evolutionary processes at the population level in closely related species. Using this framework, we test the role of RCD in speciation of two cricket species endemic to Anatolian mountains by quantifying patterns of character displacement, rates of evolution and adaptive divergence. Our results show differing patterns of character displacement between species for reproductive vs. non-reproductive characters and strong patterns of asymmetric divergence. We demonstrate diversification results from rapid divergence of reproductive traits towards multiple optima under the dual influence of strong drift and selection. These results present the first solid evidence for RCD in Anatolian mountains, quantify the amount of drift and selection necessary for RCD to lead to speciation, and demonstrate the utility of phylo-comparative methods for quantifying evolutionary parameters at the population level.


Author(s):  
Yu-Wei Hsiao ◽  
Hui-Yun Tseng ◽  
Hung Ngoc Nguyen ◽  
Si-Min Lin

Abstract Correct discrimination between courtship signals could help to maintain genetic integrity between closely related species. However, asymmetric usage of signals might cause asymmetric gene flow across the contact zone. Buergeria choui and B. otai are sibling-species with a parapatric distribution pattern in Taiwan, having two narrow contact zones on the east and west sides of the island. Combining behavioural experiments with genome-wide RAD-seq analyses, we test whether the ability of signal recognition influences genetic introgression across their species boundary. The playback experiments show that all B. choui populations respond strongest to their own ‘cricket’ trills, while the western population of B. otai have evolved a strong level of reproductive character displacement by showing the inclusive usage of the unique ‘chicken’ signals. In contrast, the eastern B. otai population uses both ‘chicken’ and ‘cricket’ trills, and has a stronger preference for the latter. The weak reproductive character displacement in the eastern population has led to asymmetry genetic introgression from B. choui toward B. otai. Our results support the prediction that a more specialized signal-user, compared to its sibling, generalized signal-user, might have a higher probability of maintaining their genetic integrity in the secondary contact region.


2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1776) ◽  
pp. 20132733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Latour ◽  
Marco Perriat-Sanguinet ◽  
Pierre Caminade ◽  
Pierre Boursot ◽  
Carole M. Smadja ◽  
...  

Sexual selection may hinder gene flow across contact zones when hybrid recognition signals are discriminated against. We tested this hypothesis in a unimodal hybrid zone between Mus musculus musculus and Mus musculus domesticus where a pattern of reinforcement was described and lower hybrid fitness documented. We presented mice from the border of the hybrid zone with a choice between opposite sex urine from the same subspecies versus hybrids sampled in different locations across the zone. While no preference was evidenced in domesticus mice, musculus males discriminated in favour of musculus signals and against hybrid signals. Remarkably, the pattern of hybrid unattractiveness did not vary across the hybrid zone. Moreover, allopatric populations tested in the same conditions did not discriminate against hybrid signals, indicating character displacement for signal perception or preference. Finally, habituation–discrimination tests assessing similarities between signals pointed out that hybrid signals differed from the parental ones. Overall, our results suggest that perception of hybrids as unattractive has evolved in border populations of musculus after the secondary contact with domesticus . We discuss the mechanisms involved in hybrid unattractiveness, and the potential impact of asymmetric sexual selection on the hybrid zone dynamics and gene flow between the two subspecies.


2004 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1391-1398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherrylynn Rowe ◽  
Jeffrey A Hutchings

We quantified variation in the mass of drumming muscles (the sound-producing musculature) among individual Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L., 1758) for comparison with other evidence on the role of sexual selection in the evolution of sound production by this species. Based on 913 cod sampled from the Western Scotian Shelf in 2001–2002, we found that males had drumming muscles that were larger than those of females and that increased in mass prior to spawning and declined thereafter. Drumming muscle mass was highly variable, particularly among males, and generally more variable than other morphological traits (somatic mass and body length). This pattern of drumming muscle variation is consistent with the hypothesis that drumming muscles are influenced by sexual selection and suggests that sound production by males during the spawning season has fitness benefits, perhaps through a role in mate competition. Drumming muscle mass of spawning males was also positively associated with body size, condition, and fertilization potential, suggesting that sound production may be an indicator of the size of the signaler and may reveal information about individual quality. In conjunction with previous studies of sound production by Atlantic cod, our study underscores the potential importance of sound production to cod spawning behaviour.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Jansen ◽  
Martin Plath ◽  
Francisco Brusquetti ◽  
Michael Joseph Ryan

Character displacement is commonly observed when species occur in secondary contact zones and traits related to resource competition or reproduction diverge in sympatry. However, few studies have considered the factors determining and delimiting the direction of character evolution in this context. We studied displacement in advertisement calls in two species of hylid frogs from allopatric and sympatric populations, both of which call with similar frequencies but differ substantially in temporal parameters. We found asymmetrical character displacement in sympatry, as only Scinax madeirae (but not S. fuscomarginatus) repeatedly showed displacement. Instead of diverging in already existing differences in temporal characters, S. madeirae showed character displacement for frequency-related characters. We explored possible reasons for this specific pattern concerning the displaced characters and tested if socio-functional constraints in specific call parameters are responsible for the shift of only spectral parameters in that species. Finally, we argue that the simultaneous action of ecological and reproductive character displacement, or alternatively, a short-term behavioral response for the same reason (avoidance of hybridization) could explain the pattern. The present study identifies a set of new hypotheses that will stimulate future research on mechanisms of mate recognition and behavioral responses.


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