What Predicts Gene Flow During Speciation? The Relative Roles of Time, Space, Morphology and Climate.

ABSTRACT: The processes that restrict gene flow between populations are fundamental to speciation. Here, we develop a simple framework for studying whether divergence in morphology, climatic niche, time and space contribute to reduced gene flow among populations and species. We apply this framework to a model system involving a clade of spiny lizards (Sceloporus) occurring mostly in northeastern Mexico, which show striking variation in morphology and habitat among closely related species and populations. We developed a new time-calibrated phylogeny for the group using RADseq data from 152 individuals. This phylogeny identified 12 putative species-level clades, including at least two undescribed species. We then estimated levels of gene flow among 21 geographically adjacent pairs of species and popul

SUBMITTER: Streicher JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11589662 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature