Hybrid zone analysis confirms cryptic species of banded newt and does not support competitive displacement since secondary contact.

ABSTRACT: When two putatively cryptic species meet in nature, hybrid zone analysis can be used to estimate the extent of gene flow between them. Two recently recognized cryptic species of banded newt (genus Ommatotriton) are suspected to meet in parapatry in Anatolia, but a formal hybrid zone analysis has never been conducted. We sample populations throughout the range, with a focus on the supposed contact zone, and genotype them for 31 nuclear DNA SNP markers and mtDNA. We determine the degree of genetic admixture, introgression, and niche overlap. We reveal an extremely narrow hybrid zone, suggesting strong selection against hybrids, in line with species status. The hybrid zone does not appear to be positioned at an ecological barrier, and there is significant niche overlap. Therefore, the

SUBMITTER: Kalaentzis K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10468612 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature