Does early learning drive ecological divergence during speciation processes in parasitoid wasps?

ABSTRACT: Central to the concept of ecological speciation is the evolution of ecotypes, i.e. groups of individuals occupying different ecological niches. However, the mechanisms behind the first step of separation, the switch of individuals into new niches, are unclear. One long-standing hypothesis, which was proposed for insects but never tested, is that early learning causes new ecological preferences, leading to a switch into a new niche within one generation. Here, we show that a host switch occurred within a parasitoid wasp, which is associated with the ability for early learning and the splitting into separate lineages during speciation. Lariophagus distinguendus consists of two genetically distinct lineages, most likely representing different species. One attacks drugstore beetle larvae (Steg

SUBMITTER: Konig K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4286039 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature