Vocal divergence is concordant with genomic evidence for strong reproductive isolation in grasshopper mice (Onychomys).

ABSTRACT: Behavioral barriers to gene flow often evolve faster than intrinsic incompatibilities and can eliminate the opportunity for hybridization between interfertile species. While acoustic signal divergence is a common driver of premating isolation in birds and insects, its contribution to speciation in mammals is less studied. Here we characterize the incidence of, and potential barriers to, hybridization among three closely related species of grasshopper mice (genus Onychomys). All three species use long-distance acoustic signals to attract and localize mates; Onychomys arenicola and Onychomys torridus are acoustically similar and morphologically cryptic whereas Onychomys leucogaster is larger and acoustically distinct. We used genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to test

SUBMITTER: Campbell P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6875671 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature