Sexual selection, speciation and constraints on geographical range overlap in birds

Ecology Letters
Christopher R CooneyNathalie Seddon

Abstract

The role of sexual selection as a driver of speciation remains unresolved, not least because we lack a clear empirical understanding of its influence on different phases of the speciation process. Here, using data from 1306 recent avian speciation events, we show that plumage dichromatism (a proxy for sexual selection) does not predict diversification rates, but instead explains the rate at which young lineages achieve geographical range overlap. Importantly, this effect is only significant when range overlap is narrow (< 20%). These findings are consistent with a 'differential fusion' model wherein sexual selection reduces rates of fusion among lineages undergoing secondary contact, facilitating parapatry or limited co-existence, whereas more extensive sympatry is contingent on additional factors such as ecological differentiation. Our results provide a more mechanistic explanation for why sexual selection appears to drive early stages of speciation while playing a seemingly limited role in determining broad-scale patterns of diversification.

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Citations

Nov 24, 2018·Ecology Letters·Christopher R HemingsonDavid R Bellwood
Oct 20, 2018·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Christopher R CooneyJoseph A Tobias
Jul 13, 2019·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Sarah A Cowles, J Albert C Uy
Jul 30, 2019·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Joseph A Tobias, Alex L Pigot
May 13, 2020·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Weizhao YangTobias Uller
Jul 28, 2020·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Madeline C CowenGregory F Grether
Apr 20, 2018·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Alfredo O Barrera-GuzmánJason T Weir
Jun 20, 2018·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Alex L PigotJoseph A Tobias
Apr 18, 2019·Nature Communications·Christopher R CooneyGavin H Thomas
Feb 10, 2021·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Justin G CallyIliana Medina
Mar 20, 2021·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Zachary Emberts, John J Wiens
Oct 19, 2019·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Kaoru Tsuji, Tadashi Fukami

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