Hydrocarbon divergence and reproductive isolation in Timema stick insects.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Individuals commonly prefer certain trait values over others when choosing their mates. If such preferences diverge between populations, they can generate behavioral reproductive isolation and thereby contribute to speciation. Reproductive isolation in insects often involves chemical communication, and cuticular hydrocarbons, in particular, serve as mate recognition signals in many species. We combined data on female cuticular hydrocarbons, interspecific mating propensity, and phylogenetics to evaluate the role of cuticular hydrocarbons in diversification of Timema walking-sticks.

Results

Hydrocarbon profiles differed substantially among the nine analyzed species, as well as between partially reproductively-isolated T. cristinae populations adapted to different ho

SUBMITTER: Schwander T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3728149 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature