Intraspecific niche partition without speciation: individual level web polymorphism within a single island spider population.

ABSTRACT: Early in the process of adaptive radiation, allopatric disruption of gene flow followed by ecological specialization is key for speciation; but, do adaptive radiations occur on small islands without internal geographical barriers? Island populations sometimes harbour polymorphism in ecological specializations, but its significance remains unclear. On one hand, morphs may correspond to 'cryptic' species. Alternatively, they could result from population, developmental or behavioural plasticity. The spider Wendilgarda galapagensis (Araneae, Theridiosomatidae) is endemic to the small Isla del Coco and unique in spinning three different web types, each corresponding to a different microhabitat. We tested whether this variation is associated with 'cryptic' species or intraspecific behavio

SUBMITTER: Cotoras DD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7934906 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature