Genetic divergence predicts reproductive isolation in damselflies
Author
Summary, in English
Reproductive isolation is the defining characteristic of a biological species, and a common, but often untested prediction is a positive correlation between reproductive isolation and genetic divergence. Here, we test for this correlation in odonates, an order characterized by strong sexual selection. First, we measure reproductive isolation and genetic divergence in eight damselfly genera (30 species pairs) and test for a positive correlation. Second, we estimate the genetic threshold preventing hybrid formation and empirically test this threshold using wild populations of species within the Ischnura genus. Our results indicate a positive and strong correlation between reproductive isolation and genetic distance using both mitochondrial and nuclear genes cytochrome oxidase II (COII: r=0.781 and 18S-28S: r=0.658). Hybridization thresholds range from -0.43 to 1.78% for COII and -0.052-0.71% for 18S-28S, and both F-1-hybrids and backcrosses were detected in wild populations of two pairs of Ischnura species with overlapping thresholds. Our study suggests that threshold values are suitable to identify species prone to hybridization and that positive isolation-divergence relationships are taxonomically widespread.
Department/s
Publishing year
2014
Language
English
Pages
76-87
Publication/Series
Journal of evolutionary biology
Volume
27
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Topic
- Biological Sciences
Keywords
- hybridization
- odonates
- sexual and natural forces
- speciation clock
Status
Published
Project
- Hybridisation in damselflies
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1420-9101