Colour polymorphism and conspicuousness do not increase speciation rates in Lacertids

de Solan, Thomas; Sinervo, Barry; Geniez, Philippe; David, Patrice; Crochet, Pierre-André

doi:10.24072/pcjournal.345

Cited by 2 publications

References 100 publications

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Common misconceptions of speciation

Walker,

van der Heijden,

Maulana

et al. 2024

Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society

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Speciation is a complex process that can unfold in many different ways. Speciation researchers sometimes simplify core principles in their writing in a way that implies misconceptions about the speciation process. While we think that these misconceptions are usually inadvertently implied (and not actively believed) by the researchers, they nonetheless risk warping how external readers understand speciation. Here we highlight six misconceptions of speciation that are especially widespread. First, species implied to be clearly and consistently defined entities in nature, whereas in reality species boundaries are often fuzzy and semi-permeable. Second, speciation is often implied to be ‘good’, which is two-fold problematic because it implies both that evolution has a goal and that speciation universally increases the chances of lineage persistence. Third, species-poor clades with species-rich sister clades are considered ‘primitive’ or ‘basal’, falsely implying a ladder of progress. Fourth, the evolution of species is assumed to be strictly tree-like, but genomic findings show widespread hybridisation more consistent with network-like evolution. Fifth, a lack of association between a trait and elevated speciation rates in macroevolutionary studies is often interpreted as evidence against its relevance in speciation — even if microevolutionary case studies show that it is relevant. Sixth, obvious trait differences between species are sometimes too readily assumed to be i) barriers to reproduction, ii) a stepping-stone to inevitable speciation, or iii) reflective of the species’ whole divergence history. In conclusion, we call for caution, particularly when communicating science, because miscommunication of these ideas provides fertile ground for misconceptions to spread.

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Common misconceptions of speciation

Walker,

van der Heijden,

Maulana

et al. 2024

Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society

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Long-term balancing selection maintains cryptic color polymorphism in frogs

Goutte,

Boissinot

2024

Preprint

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Color polymorphism can influence the evolutionary fate of cryptic species because it increases populations' chances of survival in heterogenous or variable environments. Yet, little is known about the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the persistence of cryptic color polymorphisms, or the impact these polymorphisms have on the macro-evolutionary dynamics of lineages. Here, we examine the evolutionary history of the most widespread cryptic color polymorphism in anurans, involving green and brown morphs. Using an order-scale comparative analysis, we show that these morphs can co-exist within species over long periods of evolutionary time and that polymorphic lineages switch habitat more frequently and have greater diversification rates than other groups. We then identify the locus responsible for the green/brown polymorphism in a group of African grass frogs, and demonstrate that this genomic region is evolving under long-term balancing selection, resulting in trans-specific polymorphism. These results provide a micro-evolutionary mechanism for the long-term persistence of color polymorphism observed at a macro-evolutionary scale. This study highlights the importance of cryptic color polymorphism in the ecology and evolution of anurans, and provides a framework for future research on the genetic architecture and selective forces underlying cryptic traits.

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Colour polymorphism and conspicuousness do not increase speciation rates in Lacertids

Cited by 2 publications

References 100 publications

Common misconceptions of speciation

Common misconceptions of speciation

Long-term balancing selection maintains cryptic color polymorphism in frogs

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