Predictors for reproductive isolation in a ring species complex following genetic and ecological divergence.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reproductive isolation (RI) is widely accepted as an important "check point" in the diversification process, since it defines irreversible evolutionary trajectories. Much less consensus exists about the processes that might drive RI. Here, we employ a formal quantitative analysis of genetic interactions at several stages of divergence within the ring species complex Ensatina eschscholtzii in order to assess the relative contribution of genetic and ecological divergence for the development of RI.

Results

By augmenting previous genetic datasets and adding new ecological data, we quantify levels of genetic and ecological divergence between populations and test how they correlate with a restriction of genetic admixture upon secondary contact. Our results indicate that

SUBMITTER: Pereira RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3225234 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature