Divergent host-plant use promotes reproductive isolation among cynipid gall wasp populations.

Biology Letters
Scott P EganJames R Ott

Abstract

Ecological speciation occurs when reproductive isolation evolves as a consequence of divergent natural selection among environments. A direct prediction of this process is that ecologically divergent pairs of populations will exhibit greater reproductive isolation than ecologically similar pairs of populations. By comparing allopatric populations of the cynipid gall wasp Belonocnema treatae infesting Quercus virginiana and Quercus geminata, we tested the role that divergent host use plays in generating ecological divergence and sexual isolation. We found differences in body size and gall structure associated with divergent host use, but no difference in neutral genetic divergence between populations on the same or different host plant. We observed significant assortative mating between populations from alternative host plants but not between allopatric populations on the same host plant. Thus, we provide evidence that divergent host use promotes speciation among gall wasp populations.

References

Aug 11, 2000·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·E Rolán-Alvarez, A Caballero
Jun 19, 2001·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·D Schluter
May 25, 2002·Nature·Patrik NosilCristina P Sandoval
Apr 22, 2006·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Timothy H Vines, Dolph Schluter
Sep 5, 2007·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·R Brian LangerhansEverton O Joseph
Jun 19, 2010·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·David W PfennigArmin P Moczek

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Citations

Jan 23, 2019·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Glen R HoodScott P Egan
Aug 10, 2013·Molecular Ecology·Alexander S MikheyevMichael C Singer
Nov 28, 2019·The New Phytologist·Marion O Harris, Andrea Pitzschke

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