Assessing ecological and molecular divergence between the closely related species <scp><i>Hydrolagus pallidus</i></scp> and <scp><i>H. affinis</i></scp> (Chimaeridae)

Violi, Biagio; Gaither, Michelle R.; Burns, Finlay; Hoelzel, A. Rus; Neat, Francis

doi:10.1111/jfb.13572

Cited by 1 publication

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“…In some cases, color polymorphism has been observed within and among populations of reef fishes and has been linked to sex, life history stage, or behavior (Thresher, 1984; Thresher & Moyer, 1983). Of particular interest is color polymorphism in fish that is not linked to sex or ontogeny, but instead may represent intraspecific variation or unrecognized evolutionary partitions (Violi, Gaither, Burns, Hoelzel, & Neat, 2018; Whitney, Bowen, & Karl, 2018). Where color morphs are geographically isolated, molecular evidence often indicates recent divergence that may not relate to ecologically or behaviorally driven evolution (Drew, Allen, & Erdmann, 2010; Drew, Allen, Kaufman, & Barber, 2008; Taylor & Hellberg, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does color matter? Molecular and ecological divergence in four sympatric color morphs of a coral reef fish

Gaither

Coker

Greaves

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Non‐sex‐linked color polymorphism is common in animals and can be maintained in populations via balancing selection or, when under diversifying selection, can promote divergence. Despite their potential importance in ecological interactions and the evolution of biodiversity, their function and the mechanisms by which these polymorphisms are maintained are still poorly understood. Here, we combine field observations with life history and molecular data to compare four sympatric color morphs of the coral reef fish Paracirrhites forsteri (family Cirrhitidae) in the central Red Sea. Our findings verify that the color morphs are not sex‐limited, inhabit the same reefs, and do not show clear signs of avoidance or aggression among them. A barcoding approach based on 1,276 bp of mitochondrial DNA could not differentiate the color morphs. However, when 36,769 SNPs were considered, we found low but significant population structure. Focusing on 1,121 FST outliers, we recovered distinct population clusters that corresponded to shifts in allele frequencies with each color morph harboring unique alleles. Genetic divergence at these outlier loci is accompanied by differences in growth and marginal variation in microhabitat preference. Together, life history and molecular analysis suggest subtle divergence between the color morphs in this population, the causes for which remain elusive.

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