A shift to shorter cuticular hydrocarbons accompanies sexual isolation among Drosophila americana group populations.

ABSTRACT: Because sensory signals often evolve rapidly, they could be instrumental in the emergence of reproductive isolation between species. However, pinpointing their specific contribution to isolating barriers, and the mechanisms underlying their divergence, remains challenging. Here, we demonstrate sexual isolation due to divergence in chemical signals between two populations of Drosophila americana (SC and NE) and one population of D. novamexicana, and dissect its underlying phenotypic and genetic mechanisms. Mating trials revealed strong sexual isolation between Drosophila novamexicana males and SC Drosophila americana females, as well as more moderate bi-directional isolation between D. americana populations. Mating behavior data indicate SC D. americana

SUBMITTER: Davis JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8484720 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature