Morphology is a poor predictor of interspecific admixture – the case of two naturally hybridizing newts Lissotriton montandoni and Lissotriton vulgaris (Caudata: Salamandridae)

Abstract Compared to the parental species, interspecific hybrids often show intermediate phenotypes which can affect their fitness directly and/or their attractiveness to potential mates. Lissotriton montandoni and Lissotriton vulgaris hybridize across their parapatric range along the Carpathian mountains. Hybrids are rare in natural hybrid zones, which may be related to strong assortative mating in parental species. In the present study, we investigated morphological male species-specific traits and their differentiation between both parental species and first generation of interspecific hybrids (F1), considering morphological variation between two L. vulgaris subspecies co-occurring with L. montandoni in nature: L. v. vulgaris and L. v. ampelensis. Male morphology of each group was assessed and compared based on species-specific and sexual secondary traits, selected based on the literature review. We confirmed that F1 hybrids of L. v. vulgaris and L. montandoni have an intermediate morphology between parental species. However, when morphological traits were compared with the level of genetic admixture of individuals in natural hybrid zones, we discovered that even early generations hybrids (i.e. F1 and/or F2 generation) can be similar to the parental species (especially L. v. ampelensis). As even early generations hybrids can be morphologically undistinguishable from L. v. ampelensis, sexual attractiveness of hybrids may be potentially less affected in direction of L. v. ampelensis backcrossing. Summarizing, morphology, especially morphology of male secondary sexual traits is not a reliable tool for the estimation of genetic admixture of an individual in natural populations within the hybrid zone.

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Male territorial vocalizations and responses are decoupled in an avian hybrid zone

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2008.0046 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 363 (1505) ◽

pp. 2879-2889 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Paula M den Hartog ◽

Hans Slabbekoorn ◽

Carel ten Cate

Keyword(s):

Hybrid Zone ◽

Acoustic Signals ◽

Hybrid Zones ◽

Natural Hybrid ◽

Individual Male ◽

Individual Strategy ◽

Intraspecific Communication ◽

Selective Sensitivity ◽

Species Specific ◽

Male Signals

A core area of speciation research concerns the coevolution of species-specific signals and the selective sensitivity to such signals. Signals and responses to them should be tuned to each other, to be effective in intraspecific communication. Hybrid zones are ideal to study the presence of such ‘behavioural coupling’ and the mechanisms governing it, and this has rarely been done. Our study examines acoustic signals of males and their response to them in the context of territorial interactions in a natural hybrid zone between two dove species, Streptopelia vinacea and Streptopelia capicola . Male signals are important in hybrid zone dynamics as they are essential for territory establishment, which is crucial for successful reproduction. We tested whether the response of individual male hybrids is linked to how similar their own signal is to the playback signal. We did not find evidence for behavioural coupling. The combined evidence from the low level of response to hybrid and heterospecific signals outside the hybrid zone and a lack of coupling within the hybrid zone suggests that perceptual learning may explain our results. Learning to respond to locally abundant signals may be the best individual strategy and is likely to contribute to the maintenance of a hybrid zone.

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Micromorphological character expression of the hybrid Quercus × dysophylla and its parental species (Q. crassifolia and Q. crassipes)

Botanical Sciences ◽

10.17129/botsci.875 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (3) ◽

pp. 375

Author(s):

Alfredo López-Caamal ◽

Luz Del Carmen Ruiz-Amaro ◽

Armando Zepeda-Rodríguez ◽

Patricia Mussali-Galante ◽

Efraín Tovar-Sánchez

Keyword(s):

Parental Species ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Glandular Trichomes ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Diagnostic Feature ◽

Hybrid Zones ◽

Intermediate Phenotypes ◽

Study Sites ◽

Micromorphological Characters ◽

Spatial Genetic Pattern

Background: Hybridization leads to individuals with atypical phenotypes, leading to taxonomic confusion when hybridizing populations are studied. Micromorphological characters may enable taxonomists to discriminate between parental and hybrid categories due to their simple genetic inheritance.Species study: Three oak taxa distributed in the montane regions of the Mexico were studied: Quercus crassifolia, Q. crassipes and their hybrid Q. × dysophylla.Hypothesis: We describe the leaf micromorphological and macromorphological variation of these taxa. Specifically, we searched for a unique combination of micromorphological characters in hybrids. We hypothesize that spatial micromorphological variation will match the spatial pattern revealed by a previous genetic study.Study sites: Two allopatric stands for each parental species and seven hybrid zones were studied. Individuals within each stand were identified as belonging to parental or hybrid categories following previous genetic analyses.Methods: Stomata and trichome types for each taxa were determined through Scanning Electron Microscopy. Eight micromorphological characters for trichomes and stomata and four foliar macromorphological characters were measured.Results: We found the presence of both multirradiate and simple stellate non-glandular trichomes as a diagnostic feature of Q. × dysophylla. Overall populations, Q. × dysophylla showed intermediate phenotypes in 70 % of morphological characters. However, hybrid phenotype exhibited geographical variation. Lastly, spatial hybrid’s phenotype variation did not correlate with the spatial genetic pattern previously identified.Conclusions: The micromorphological features of Q. × dysophylla may enable taxonomists to accurately discriminate between this taxon and its parental species. Finally, we suggest that micromorphological expression of both parental species and hybrids may be influenced by environmental gradients and microclimates.

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Hybrid speciation leads to novel male secondary sexual ornamentation of an Amazonian bird

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1717319115 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 115 (2) ◽

pp. E218-E225 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Alfredo O. Barrera-Guzmán ◽

Alexandre Aleixo ◽

Matthew D. Shawkey ◽

Jason T. Weir

Keyword(s):

Amazon Basin ◽

Parental Species ◽

Genetic Admixture ◽

Hybrid Speciation ◽

Premating Isolation ◽

Hybrid Species ◽

Speciation Event ◽

A Genome ◽

Admixture Population ◽

Species Specific

Hybrid speciation is rare in vertebrates, and reproductive isolation arising from hybridization is infrequently demonstrated. Here, we present evidence supporting a hybrid-speciation event involving the genetic admixture of the snow-capped (Lepidothrix nattereri) and opal-crowned (Lepidothrix iris) manakins of the Amazon basin, leading to the formation of the hybrid species, the golden-crowned manakin (Lepidothrix vilasboasi). We used a genome-wide SNP dataset together with analysis of admixture, population structure, and coalescent modeling to demonstrate that the golden-crowned manakin is genetically an admixture of these species and does not represent a hybrid zone but instead formed through ancient genetic admixture. We used spectrophotometry to quantify the coloration of the species-specific male crown patches. Crown patches are highly reflective white (snow-capped manakin) or iridescent whitish-blue to pink (opal-crowned manakin) in parental species but are a much less reflective yellow in the hybrid species. The brilliant coloration of the parental species results from nanostructural organization of the keratin matrix feather barbs of the crown. However, using electron microscopy, we demonstrate that the structural organization of this matrix is different in the two parental species and that the hybrid species is intermediate. The intermediate nature of the crown barbs, resulting from past admixture appears to have rendered a duller structural coloration. To compensate for reduced brightness, selection apparently resulted in extensive thickening of the carotenoid-laden barb cortex, producing the yellow crown coloration. The evolution of this unique crown-color signal likely culminated in premating isolation of the hybrid species from both parental species.

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Production and Molecular Identification of Interspecific Hybrids between Phaius mishmensis (Lindl. and Paxton) Rchb. f. and Phaius tankervilliae (Banks) Blume

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11040306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 306

Author(s):

Tasanai Punjansing ◽

Maliwan Nakkuntod ◽

Somjit Homchan ◽

Phithak Inthima ◽

Anupan Kongbangkerd

Keyword(s):

Interspecific Hybridization ◽

Interspecific Hybrids ◽

Parental Species ◽

Female Parent ◽

Genetic Fidelity ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

F1 Hybrids ◽

Scar Markers ◽

Sequence Characterized Amplified Region ◽

Decamer Primer

This study aimed at assessing the hybridization feasibility and evaluating genetic fidelity of the hybrid seedlings originated from Phaius mishmensis (Lindl. and Paxton) Rchb. f. and P. tankervilliae (Banks) Blume. Intra- and interspecific hybridization between Phaius mishmensis (Lindl. and Paxton) Rchb. f. and P. tankervilliae (Banks) Blume were examined to establish the primary hybrid, observe their cross ability and identify the F1 hybrids using sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. Self-incompatibility and cross ability of P. mishmensis and P. tankervilliae were tested before starting the breeding program. Results showed that they were self-compatible orchids. The interspecific hybridization between P. mishmensis and P. tankervilliae was achieved with the highest pod setting (80%), seed germination percentage (94.8%) and the rate of protocorm development into mature seedlings (stage 6) (10.6%), but the smallest size of embryo with width 46.5 μm, length 67.3 μm was also observed when P. mishmensis was taken as the female parent. A comparative study on leaf morphology and anatomy of plantlets regenerated from intra- and interspecific hybrids of P. mishmensis and P. tankervilliae showed a transitional character to the parental species. Herein, the presence of interspecific hybrids between P. mishmensis and P. tankervilliae, as well as their reciprocal cross, was verified using Pmis524 SCAR markers developed by the decamer primer.

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Sequencing an F1 hybrid of Silurus asotus and S. meridionalis enabled the assembly of high-quality parental genomes

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-93257-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Weitao Chen ◽

Ming Zou ◽

Yuefei Li ◽

Shuli Zhu ◽

Xinhui Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

De Novo ◽

Parental Species ◽

F1 Hybrids ◽

Pelteobagrus Fulvidraco ◽

F1 Hybrid ◽

Short Reads ◽

Final Assembly ◽

Genome Complexity ◽

Hybrid Genome ◽

Silurus Asotus

AbstractGenome complexity such as heterozygosity may heavily influence its de novo assembly. Sequencing somatic cells of the F1 hybrids harboring two sets of genetic materials from both of the paternal and maternal species may avoid alleles discrimination during assembly. However, the feasibility of this strategy needs further assessments. We sequenced and assembled the genome of an F1 hybrid between Silurus asotus and S. meridionalis using the SequelII platform and Hi-C scaffolding technologies. More than 300 Gb raw data were generated, and the final assembly obtained 2344 scaffolds composed of 3017 contigs. The N50 length of scaffolds and contigs was 28.55 Mb and 7.49 Mb, respectively. Based on the mapping results of short reads generated for the paternal and maternal species, each of the 29 chromosomes originating from S. asotus and S. meridionalis was recognized. We recovered nearly 94% and 96% of the total length of S. asotus and S. meridionalis. BUSCO assessments and mapping analyses suggested that both genomes had high completeness and accuracy. Further analyses demonstrated the high collinearity between S. asotus, S. meridionalis, and the related Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Comparison of the two genomes with that assembled only using the short reads from non-hybrid parental species detected a small portion of sequences that may be incorrectly assigned to the different species. We supposed that at least part of these situations may have resulted from mitotic recombination. The strategy of sequencing the F1 hybrid genome can recover the vast majority of the parental genomes and may improve the assembly of complex genomes.

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Hybrid Zones and the Genetic Architecture of a Barrier to Gene Flow Between Two Sunflower Species

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/152.2.713 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 152 (2) ◽

pp. 713-727 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Loren H Rieseberg ◽

Jeannette Whitton ◽

Keith Gardner

Keyword(s):

Genetic Study ◽

Genetic Architecture ◽

Chromosomal Rearrangements ◽

Pollen Sterility ◽

Model Organisms ◽

Hybrid Zones ◽

Reproductive Barriers ◽

Natural Hybrid ◽

Generation Times ◽

Helianthus Petiolaris

Abstract Genetic analyses of reproductive barriers represent one of the few methods by which theories of speciation can be tested. However, genetic study is often restricted to model organisms that have short generation times and are easily propagated in the laboratory. Replicate hybrid zones with a diversity of recombinant genotypes of varying age offer increased resolution for genetic mapping experiments and expand the pool of organisms amenable to genetic study. Using 88 markers distributed across 17 chromosomes, we analyze the introgression of chromosomal segments of Helianthus petiolaris into H. annuus in three natural hybrid zones. Introgression was significantly reduced relative to neutral expectations for 26 chromosomal segments, suggesting that each segment contains one or more factors that contribute to isolation. Pollen sterility is significantly associated with 16 of these 26 segments, providing a straightforward explanation of why this subset of blocks is disadvantageous in hybrids. In addition, comparison of rates of introgression across colinear vs. rearranged chromosomes indicates that close to 50% of the barrier to introgression is due to chromosomal rearrangements. These results demonstrate the utility of hybrid zones for identifying factors contributing to isolation and verify the prediction of increased resolution relative to controlled crosses.

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Endoparasitic helminths of water frog complex in Poland: do differences exist between the parental species Pelophylax ridibundus and Pelophylax lessonae, and their natural hybrid Pelophylax esculentus?

Helminthologia ◽

10.2478/s11687-011-0020-8 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 108-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Popiołek ◽

B. Rozenblut-Kościsty ◽

M. Kot ◽

W. Nosal ◽

M. Ogielska

Keyword(s):

20Th Century ◽

Parental Species ◽

Helminth Species ◽

Natural Hybrid ◽

Intensity Of Infection ◽

Water Frog ◽

Pelophylax Ridibundus ◽

Water Frogs ◽

Pelophylax Esculentus ◽

Cosmocerca Ornata

AbstractParasitic fauna of water frogs was mainly studied in the second half of the 20th century. However, these studies were done without differentiation into species and hybrids and pooled the 3 taxa as “water frogs” or “green frogs”. The aim of this study was to make an inventory of helminth species as well as their prevalence and intensity of infection in the two parental species (Pelophylax ridibundus and P. lessonae) and the hybrid (P. esculentus) of water frogs from 3 big populations composed of hundreds or thousands of individuals inhabited natural and seminatural landscapes in Poland. Eight helminth species were found: Polystoma integerrimum, Diplodiscus subclavatus, Opisthoglyphe ranae, Gorgodera cygnoides, Haematoloechus variegatus, Oswaldocruzia filiformis, Cosmocerca ornata and Acanthocephalus ranae. The results were compared with data from other, polish and European studies. Additionally we compared the level of infection among water frog taxa.

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Chloroplast DNA polymorphism reveals geographic structure and introgression in the Quercus crassifolia × Quercus crassipes hybrid complex in Mexico

Botany ◽

10.1139/b07-128 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 228-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

E. Tovar-Sánchez ◽

P. Mussali-Galante ◽

R. Esteban-Jiménez ◽

D. Piñero ◽

D. M. Arias ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parental Species ◽

Diversity Index ◽

Hot Spot ◽

Haplotype Diversity ◽

Hybrid Zones ◽

Chloroplast Microsatellite ◽

Colonization Routes ◽

Allopatric Populations ◽

Genetic Structure Of Populations ◽

Hybrid Complex

Quercus crassifolia H. & B. and Quercus crassipes H. & B. are two common temperate forest species in Mexico that form hybrids when they occur in mixed (sympatric) areas. In this study, we used chloroplast microsatellite haplotypes to infer phylogeographic patterns onto the genetic structure of populations of both parental species, thus defining probable colonization routes throughout Mexico. Haplotype diversity in seven hybrid zones and four allopatric sites with nonmixed (allopatric) populations of both putative parental species was analyzed. To determine the expansion and colonization routes for the two species, we carried out a nested clade phylogeographic analysis that would allow us to infer the haplotype correspondence to a phylogeographical approach. In spite of sharing many common populations, we determined that there is a different genetic historical colonization for Q. crassipes and for Q. crassifolia. Hybrid populations had the highest levels of genetic variation (Gv), Shannon diversity index (H), and haplotype number (nh) in comparison with nonmixed/allopatric populations of their putative parentals. Furthermore, populations of hybrid zones showed the highest values of genetic differentiation FST, RST . Moreover, both species share four distinctive cpDNA haplotypes, which were most likely acquired by introgression through hybrids located in several populations throughout the Eje Neovolcánico area. This last region was confirmed to be a “hot spot” for oak diversity, a place in which different maternal lineages merged.

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Ecological Observations on Hybrid Populations of European Plethodontid Salamanders, Genus Speleomantes

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13070285 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 285

Author(s):

Enrico Lunghi ◽

Fabio Cianferoni ◽

Stefano Merilli ◽

Yahui Zhao ◽

Raoul Manenti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Parental Species ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Trophic Niche ◽

Natural Hybrid ◽

Ecological Information ◽

Total Length ◽

Plethodontid Salamanders ◽

The Future ◽

First Time

Speleomantes are the only plethodontid salamanders present in Europe. Multiple studies have been performed to investigate the trophic niche of the eight Speleomantes species, but none of these studies included hybrid populations. For the first time, we studied the trophic niche of five Speleomantes hybrid populations. Each population was surveyed twice in 2020, and stomach flushing was performed on each captured salamander; stomach flushing is a harmless technique that allows stomach contents to be inspected. We also assessed the potential divergence in size and body condition between natural and introduced hybrids, and their parental species. Previously collected data on Speleomantes were included to increase the robustness of these analyses. In only 33 out of 134 sampled hybrid Speleomantes we recognized 81 items belonging to 11 prey categories. The frequency of empty stomachs was higher in females and individuals from natural hybrid populations, whereas the largest number of prey was consumed by males. We compared the total length and body condition of 685 adult salamanders belonging to three types of hybrids and three parental (sub)species. Three group of salamanders (one hybrid and two parental species) showed significantly larger size, whereas no difference in body condition was observed. This study provided novel ecological information on Speleomantes hybrid populations. We also provided insights into the potential divergence between hybrids and parental species in terms of size and body condition. We discuss our findings, and formulate several hypotheses that should be tested in the future.

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Molecular and morphological approaches for species delimitation and hybridization investigations of two Cichla species

Iheringia Série Zoologia ◽

10.1590/1678-4766e2017016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 107 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Andrea A. F. Mourão ◽

Diogo Freitas-Souza ◽

Diogo T. Hashimoto ◽

Daniela C. Ferreira ◽

Fernanda D. do Prado ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Delimitation ◽

Parental Species ◽

Future Research ◽

Correct Identification ◽

Pcr Multiplex ◽

Pcr Rflp ◽

Genetic Pattern ◽

Morphometric Methods ◽

Species Specific ◽

Specific Nucleotide

ABSTRACT The hybridization is a widely-discussed issue in several studies with fish species. For some authors, hybridization may be related with diversification and speciation of several groups, or also with the extinction of populations or species. Difficulties to differentiate species and hybrids may be a problem to correctly apply a management of wild species, because hybrid lineages, especially the advanced ones, may resemble the parental species. The genus Cichla Bloch & Schneider, 1801 constitutes an interesting experimental model, considering that hybridization and taxonomic uncertainties hinder a correct identification. Considering these problems, in this study, we developed genetic methodologies and applied meristic and morphometric approaches in wild samples in order to identify species and for test a possible hybridization between Cichla kelberi Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 and Cichla piquiti Kullander & Ferreira, 2006. For this, C. kelberi, C. piquiti and potential hybrid ( carijó) individuals were collected in Paraná and Tietê rivers (SP, Brazil). For meristic and morphometric methods, the individuals were analyzed using the statistical software Pcord 5:31, while for molecular methods, primers for PCR-multiplex were designed and enzyme for PCR-RFLP were selected, under the species-specific nucleotide. All results indicated that the carijó is not an interspecific hybrid, because it presented identical genetic pattern and morphology closed to C. piquiti. Thus, we propose that carijó is a C. piquiti morphotype. In addition, this study promotes a new molecular tool that could be used in future research, monitoring and management programs of the genus Cichla.

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