scholarly journals Speciation: more likely through a genetic or through a learned habitat preference?

2005 ◽  
Vol 272 (1571) ◽  
pp. 1455-1463 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.B Beltman ◽  
J.A.J Metz
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Genetic Mechanism ◽  
Dynamical Analysis ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Single Population ◽  
Preferred Habitat ◽  
Simultaneous Evolution ◽  
Evolution Proceeds

A problem in understanding sympatric speciation is establishing how reproductive isolation can arise when there is disruptive selection on an ecological trait. One of the solutions that has been proposed is that a habitat preference evolves, and that mates are chosen within the preferred habitat. We present a model where the habitat preference can evolve either by means of a genetic mechanism or by means of learning. Employing an adaptive-dynamical analysis, we show that evolution proceeds either to a single population of specialists with a genetic preference for their optimal habitat, or to a population of generalists without a habitat preference. The generalist population subsequently experiences disruptive selection. Learning promotes speciation because it increases the intensity of disruptive selection. An individual-based version of the model shows that, when loci are completely unlinked and learning confers little cost, the presence of disruptive selection most probably leads to speciation via the simultaneous evolution of a learned habitat preference. For high costs of learning, speciation is most likely to occur via the evolution of a genetic habitat preference. However, the latter only happens when the effect of mutations is large, or when there is linkage between genes coding for the different traits.

Evolutionary Branching in a Classical Model for Sympatric Speciation

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Doebeli
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Adaptive Dynamics ◽  
Classical Model ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
General Outcome ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Genetic Mechanisms ◽  
Basic Concepts ◽  
Smith Model

This chapter begins by considering the Maynard Smith model. Much of this work concentrated on the genetic mechanisms for assortative mating and reproductive isolation, based on the assumption that the underlying niche ecology would generate disruptive selection. However, understanding the conditions under which disruptive selection arises in the first place is equally important, and indeed necessary for assessing whether diversification is a general outcome in the Maynard Smith model. The chapter then shows that disruptive selection and polymorphism are scenarios that occur generically, that is, for a wide range of parameters, in a classical and widely used speciation model. It also provides an introduction to some of the basic concepts of adaptive dynamics theory.

scholarly journals Sympatric ecological divergence with coevolution of niche preference

2020 ◽  
Vol 375 (1806) ◽  
pp. 20190749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavel Payne ◽  
Jitka Polechová
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Parameter Space ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Secondary Contact ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Ecological Divergence ◽  
Trade Off

Reinforcement, the increase of assortative mating driven by selection against unfit hybrids, is conditional on pre-existing divergence. Yet, for ecological divergence to precede the evolution of assortment, strict symmetries between fitnesses in niches must hold, and/or there must be low gene flow between the nascent species. It has thus been argued that conditions favouring sympatric speciation are rarely met in nature. Indeed, we show that under disruptive selection, violating symmetries in niche sizes and increasing strength of the trade-off in selection between the niches quickly leads to loss of genetic variation, instead of evolution of specialists. The region of the parameter space where polymorphism is maintained further narrows with increasing number of loci encoding the diverging trait and the rate of recombination between them. Yet, evolvable assortment and pre-existing assortment both substantially broaden the parameter space within which polymorphism is maintained. Notably, pre-existing niche preference speeds up further increase of assortment, thus facilitating reinforcement in the later phases of speciation. We conclude that in order for sympatric ecological divergence to occur, niche preference must coevolve throughout the divergence process. Even if populations come into secondary contact, having diverged in isolation, niche preference substantially broadens the conditions for coexistence in sympatry and completion of the speciation process. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards the completion of speciation: the evolution of reproductive isolation beyond the first barriers'.

scholarly journals Artificial neural networks in models of specialization, guild evolution and sympatric speciation

2007 ◽  
Vol 362 (1479) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noél M.A Holmgren ◽  
Niclas Norrström ◽  
Wayne M Getz
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Host Choice ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Host Signals ◽  
Ideal Free

Sympatric speciation can arise as a result of disruptive selection with assortative mating as a pleiotropic by-product. Studies on host choice, employing artificial neural networks as models for the host recognition system in exploiters, illustrate how disruptive selection on host choice coupled with assortative mating can arise as a consequence of selection for specialization. Our studies demonstrate that a generalist exploiter population can evolve into a guild of specialists with an ‘ideal free’ frequency distribution across hosts. The ideal free distribution arises from variability in host suitability and density-dependent exploiter fitness on different host species. Specialists are less subject to inter-phenotypic competition than generalists and to harmful mutations that are common in generalists exploiting multiple hosts. When host signals used as cues by exploiters coevolve with exploiter recognition systems, our studies show that evolutionary changes may be continuous and cyclic. Selection changes back and forth between specialization and generalization in the exploiters, and weak and strong mimicry in the hosts, where non-defended hosts use the host investing in defence as a model. Thus, host signals and exploiter responses are engaged in a red-queen mimicry process that is ultimately cyclic rather then directional. In one phase, evolving signals of exploitable hosts mimic those of hosts less suitable for exploitation (i.e. the model). Signals in the model hosts also evolve through selection to escape the mimic and its exploiters. Response saturation constraints in the model hosts lead to the mimic hosts finally perfecting its mimicry, after which specialization in the exploiter guild is lost. This loss of exploiter specialization provides an opportunity for the model hosts to escape their mimics. Therefore, this cycle then repeats. We suggest that a species can readily evolve sympatrically when disruptive selection for specialization on hosts is the first step. In a sexual reproduction setting, partial reproductive isolation may first evolve by mate choice being confined to individuals on the same host. Secondly, this disruptive selection will favour assortative mate choice on genotype, thereby leading to increased reproductive isolation.

scholarly journals Speciation in the Cladophorales species flock of ancient Lake Baikal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Sergio Diaz Martinez
Keyword(s):  
Population Genetics ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Lake Baikal ◽  
Species Delimitation ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Species Flock ◽  
Ancient Lake ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Dispersal Abilities

<p>Understanding speciation is one of the great challenges in evolutionary biology as many of the processes involved in speciation, as well as the forces leading to morphological and genetic differentiation, are not fully understood. Three main modes of speciation have been described: allopatric, parapatric and sympatric. Sympatric speciation is the most enigmatic mode because in the absence of physical barriers, disruptive selection, assortative mating and hybridization play central roles in reproductive isolation. Although it is accepted that sympatric speciation is possible, only a few examples of this process exist to date. Another common method of speciation in plants and algae is via polyploidization. Recently, a promising system to study speciation in sympatry was discovered: the endemic Cladophorales species flock in ancient Lake Baikal, Russia. The flock consists of sixteen taxa grouped in four genera: Chaetocladiella, Chaetomorpha, Cladophora and Gemmiphora. In spite of their morphological diversity, recent molecular analyses have shown that this is a monophyletic group with low genetic variation and nested within the morphologically simple genus Rhizoclonium. Due to their high number of species, endemism and sympatric distribution, many interesting questions have arisen such as what processes are involved in speciation, and whether this group might be a novel example of sympatric speciation. In this study, we analysed the population genetics of the endemic Baikalian Cladophorales to infer the processes shaping the evolution of the group. First, a set of microsatellites was designed using high-throughput sequencing data. Second, species delimitation methods based on genetic clustering were performed. Third, the population genetics of three widely distributed species was analysed looking for evidence of panmixia, a common criteria to support sympatric speciation. A total of 11 microsatellites that mostly cross-amplify between most species were obtained. The genotyping revealed that most loci had more than two alleles per individual indicating polyploidy. As such, the analyses required a different approach which consisted in coding the genotypes as ‘allelic phenotypes’, allowing the use of individuals of different ploidy levels in the same data set. The species delimitation of 15 operative morphotaxa and 727 individuals supported reproductive isolation of five morphotaxa and two hypotheses of conspecificity. However, some morphotaxa showed unclear assignments revealing the need of further research to clarify their reproductive limits. Finally, the population genetics of Chaetomorpha moniliformis, Cladophora compacta and Cl. kursanovii revealed patterns of genetic variation and structure that suggest different reproductive strategies and dispersal abilities. This demonstrates that contrasting biological characteristics may arise in closely related lineages: Chaetomorpha moniliformis with dominant asexual reproduction and long dispersal abilities; Cladophora compacta with high genetic diversity, no population structure and likely to reproduce sexually; Cl. kursanovii with a structure congruent with geographic distribution and more restricted dispersal. The results suggest that polyploidy, rather than speciation with gene flow, is the force driving the reproductive isolation and evolution of this flock. Although many questions remain to be studied, this research provides the first insights into the diversification of this Cladophorales species flock and contributes to the understanding of speciation in freshwater algae.</p>

scholarly journals Host races in plant–feeding insects and their importance in sympatric speciation

2002 ◽  
Vol 357 (1420) ◽  
pp. 471-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Drès ◽  
James Mallet
Keyword(s):  
Linkage Disequilibrium ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
New Host ◽  
Host Races ◽  
Plant Feeding

The existence of a continuous array of sympatric biotypes—from polymorphisms, through ecological or host races with increasing reproductive isolation, to good species—can provide strong evidence for a continuous route to sympatric speciation via natural selection. Host races in plant–feeding insects, in particular, have often been used as evidence for the probability of sympatric speciation. Here, we provide verifiable criteria to distinguish host races from other biotypes: in brief, host races are genetically differentiated, sympatric populations of parasites that use different hosts and between which there is appreciable gene flow. We recognize host races as kinds of species that regularly exchange genes with other species at a rate of more than ca . 1% per generation, rather than as fundamentally distinct taxa. Host races provide a convenient, although admittedly somewhat arbitrary intermediate stage along the speciation continuum. They are a heuristic device to aid in evaluating the probability of speciation by natural selection, particularly in sympatry. Speciation is thereby envisaged as having two phases: (i) the evolution of host races from within polymorphic, panmictic populations; and (ii) further reduction of gene flow between host races until the diverging populations can become generally accepted as species. We apply this criterion to 21 putative host race systems. Of these, only three are unambiguously classified as host races, but a further eight are strong candidates that merely lack accurate information on rates of hybridization or gene flow. Thus, over one–half of the cases that we review are probably or certainly host races, under our definition. Our review of the data favours the idea of sympatric speciation via host shift for three major reasons: (i) the evolution of assortative mating as a pleiotropic by–product of adaptation to a new host seems likely, even in cases where mating occurs away from the host; (ii) stable genetic differences in half of the cases attest to the power of natural selection to maintain multilocus polymorphisms with substantial linkage disequilibrium, in spite of probable gene flow; and (iii) this linkage disequilibrium should permit additional host adaptation, leading to further reproductive isolation via pleiotropy, and also provides conditions suitable for adaptive evolution of mate choice (reinforcement) to cause still further reductions in gene flow. Current data are too sparse to rule out a cryptic discontinuity in the apparently stable sympatric route from host–associated polymorphism to host–associated species, but such a hiatus seems unlikely on present evidence. Finally, we discuss applications of an understanding of host races in conservation and in managing adaptation by pests to control strategies, including those involving biological control or transgenic parasite–resistant plants.

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