evolution of strong,
genetically-based isolating barriers
between populations that prevent
them from exchanging genes
MODELS
Rates of Speciation
Gradual
gradual evolution of genetic differences
that ultimately results in reproductive
isolation; takes many generations
extension of
micro-evolutionary process
most common
type of speciation
Sudden - also termed saltational,
abrupt, and quantum speciation
sudden origin of a new species due to a single
genetic change (or a few related changes);
occurs in a single generation (or a few)
mechanism
1) change of breeding system,
where a sexually reproducing
ancestor gives rise to an
asexual line
mutation
e.g. ostracod - mutation
in egg production from
meiosis - mitosis
interspecific hybridisation
e.g. Whiptail Lizards
(Cnemidophorus) - double
chromosomes - duplicate
couple with each other &
undergo meiosis - diploid eggs
(2) chromosomal rearrangements
--> chromosomal incompatibilities
and reproduction isolation
e.g. goats beard (tragopogon)
Anotações:
have diploid sexual sp.
interspecific hybrids - infertile (only reproduce vegitatively)
polyploid derivatives -
Geography
allopatric
subdivision
Anotações:
- Large continuous population
- A physical barrier more or less
equally sub-divides the
population
- Immigration ceases:
large sub-populations on
either side of barrier evolve
independently & gradually
diverge
- Secondary contact
without interbreeding =
speciation
def: ancestral population is
subdivided into two large
sub-populations, each of
which forms a new species
e.g. broad range of closely related species
pairs in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific
- originated via the subdivision of ancestral
populations as the Isthmus of Panama emerged
ca. 20 - 3 million years ago (marine sp.)
e.g. Alpheus (in this genus
- 20 pairs closely related)
CONC : - subdivision can generate congruent
patterns of diversification in many taxa
- speciation by subdivision is likely to
be relatively slow (million of years)
peripheral isolation
def: new species evolves
from a small population
isolated at the edge of the
ancestral species range
Anotações:
- Ancestral population
- Small number of individuals colonise an unusual habitat -- "Isolate" evolves independently & diverges relatively rapidly
- Isolated from parental population
- Secondary contactwithout interbreeding =speciation
e.g. Paradise
Kingfishers
(Tanysiptera) in New
Guinea
CONC: speciation by peripheral
isolation can occur over very
small spatial and temporal
scales
def: new species arise as a result
of geographic isolation from the
ancestral species (involves the
evolution of an extrinsic barrier to
evolution)
sympatric
def: • speciation within a population
• involves the evolution of intrinsic
barriers to gene flow
Anotações:
- Group of individuals adopt
a new niche within the range
of the parental species - Individuals mate within, and adapt to, their niche
- Evolution of reproductive
isolation without geographic isolation
Conditions Required for
Sympatric Speciation
Anotações:
most models postulate:
- heritable polymorphism based on resource use (food)
- disruptive selection between
ecomorphs (temp for mating)
- assortative mating within
ecomorphs
Why is the Idea of
Sympatric Speciation
Controversial?
Anotações:
• because the incipient species are in contact and any interbreeding between them will breakdown linkage disequilibrium and prevent the formation of genetically distinct subgroups
• this is a problem for gradual speciation (sudden and sympatric models are compatible)
• very few convincing examples (although this is also true of allopatric models)
sp in contact- probability to
breed - prevent genetically
distinct subgroups
problem for gradual speciation
e.g.apple maggot fly
(Rhagoletis pomonella) in
North America
Anotações:
• are morphologically indistinguishable
• are genetically differentiated (very limited gene exchange)
• show strong (& heritable) preference for their own fruit type
Origin of Apple race
Anotações:
- recent ~400 intro to N.A.
- evolved from the hawthorn race in sympatry
- divergence due to host shift
(x geographic isolation)
- gene exchange is limited - cz they court, mate, develop near the preferred fruit
• the isolation is reinforced by the fact that the hosts fruit at different times
• hence different alleles are favoured in different races because the larvae develop under different temperature regimes
• there is limited gene flow between the races, but the effects are overwhelmed by selection
How Common is Sympatric Speciation?
(a) occurs mainly in
specialised cases, such
as via a host shift in
phytophagous insects
(b) common & widespread
CONC: - sympatric speciation may
underpin many adaptive radiations
- it is necessarily relatively rapid
parapatric
Anotações:
- Ancestral population
- Individuals expand into new
habitat but retain limited contact
- Divergent selection counteracts the effects of limited gene exchange
- Eventually reproductive isolation
may evolve
e.g. Antoxanthum
odoratum at mine sites
Species Flocks
def: an assemblage of very
LARGE NUMBER of closely
related species occurring in
a SMALL GEOGRAPHIC AREA
e.g. cichlid
flocks in African
Great Lakes
so many different sp of
Cichlids in a small area of
water stream
origin - sympatric?? (uncertain) - adapt to eating on different preys
MECHANISM
Ecological
def: process by which barriers to gene
flow evolve as a result of
ecologically-based, divergent selection
CONTEXT:
speciation has traditionally
been studied from a geographic
perspective (allopatric versus
sympatric)
recently, more emphasis has been
placed on the mechanisms for the
evolution of reproductive isolation
e.g. parallel evolution in the
threespined stickleback
(Gasterosteus)
Anotações:
- The marine form has
repeatedly invaded
freshwater.
- Freshwater forms have
independently reduced
the amount of armour
and pelvic structures.
limnetic and benthic forms
Anotações:
- A few lakes contain both limnetic and benthic forms.
- These forms are morphological
differentiated.
- Parallel changes appear to have occurred
independently in separate lakes.
Some of the changes appear to be
linked to diet and intensity of predation,
i.e., appear to be adaptive
CONC: The repeated independent
evolution of some of the same traits
implies an adaptive response that is
driven by divergent natural selection.
REINFORCEMENT
def: • process by which natural
selection increases reproduction
isolation • can be prezygotic or
postzygotic
inviability-
infertility - zebroid (zebra mixed w other type of horses - infertile)
breakdown - fertile hybrid-backcross into the sp but they never do quite as well (the hybrid never last very long through generations)
Prezygotic -
Behavioural
Temporal
Habitat
Chemical
Mechanical
Anotações:
behavioural - choose their mate
temporal - flowering time- seasons- difft flower types
chemical - feromone type
mech - structure of the flower
What Role does
Reinforcement Play in
Speciation?
not essential for
allopatric models
(although it could still
play a role)
essential for sympatric
and parapatric models
Anotações:
in exp, sp from allopatric speciation tend to breed w each other when put together (no prezygotic).
for sympatric - there's prezygotic speciation (they tend to breed w chosen sp - selection is so strong )