Morphological variation and reproductive isolation in the Hetaerina americana species complex.

ABSTRACT: Incomplete premating barriers in closely related species may result in reproductive interference. This process has different fitness consequences and can lead to three scenarios: niche segregation, sexual exclusion, or reproductive character displacement. In morphologically cryptic species, isolation barriers can be difficult to recognize. Here, we analyzed the morphological, behavioral, and genetic differences between two sympatric cryptic species of the genus Hetaerina to determine the characters that contribute the most to reproductive isolation and the effect of the high rates of behavior interference between the species. We found complete genetic isolation and significant differences in the morphometry of caudal appendages and wing shape, as well as body size variation between species

SUBMITTER: Vega-Sanchez YM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9240019 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature