Sensory drive speciation and patterns of variation at selectively neutral genes

Abstract

Speciation by sensory drive can occur if divergent adaptation of sensory systems causes rapid evolution of mating traits and the resulting development of assortative mating. Previous theoretical studies have shown that sensory drive can cause rapid divergent adaptive evolution from one to two phenotypes. In this study, we examined two topics: the possibility of adaptive radiation by sensory drive from one to more than two phenotypes and the relationships of patterns of variation at selectively neutral genes to levels of viability selection, habitat and mating preferences and migration. We conducted individual-based simulations assuming a sensory trait and a mating trait controlled by a small number of loci. We found that adaptive radiation is possible when the number of loci controlling the sensory trait is small; the levels of viability selection, habitat and mating preferences are intermediate; and the emigration rate is high. We also found that emigration rates as well as the levels of habitat and mating preferences are related to 123Evol Ecol (2014) 28:591-609 DOI 10.1007 values at neutral loci, but F ST proved to be insensitive to a small change in the number of loci controlling the mating trait. This suggests that an estimation of the past population history is possible without an accurate genetic model.

Evolutionary insights intoRhinolophus episcopus(Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae) in China: Isolation by distance, environment, or sensory system?

“…According to the theory of sensory-driven speciation, differences in important sensory traits can lead to assortative mating and reproductive isolation among populations (Fuller & Endler, 2018;Kawata et al, 2007;Matsumoto, Terai, Okada, & Tachida, 2014;Puechmaille et al, 2011). Under the hypothesis of sensory-driven speciation, genetic divergence is directly correlated with sensory divergence, which causes a pattern that we call "isolation by sensory variation" (IBS).…”

“…Increasing numbers of studies have provided empirical support for the importance of sensory drive in the speciation process (Boughman, 2002; Kawata, Shoji, Kawamura, & Seehausen, 2007; Puechmaille et al., 2011; Seehausen et al., 2008; Tobias et al., 2010). According to the theory of sensory‐driven speciation, differences in important sensory traits can lead to assortative mating and reproductive isolation among populations (Fuller & Endler, 2018; Kawata et al., 2007; Matsumoto, Terai, Okada, & Tachida, 2014; Puechmaille et al., 2011). Under the hypothesis of sensory‐driven speciation, genetic divergence is directly correlated with sensory divergence, which causes a pattern that we call “isolation by sensory variation” (IBS).…”

Differentiation of visual spectra and nuptial colorations of two Paratanakia himantegus subspecies (Cyprinoidea: Acheilognathidae) in response to the distinct photic conditions of their habitats

“…Moreover, earlier genetic studies suggested that there is no gene flow between P. h. himantegus and P. h. chii (Chang et al 2014;Chang et al 2009b), and therefore, it is possible that speciation by sensory drive promotes differentiation of these two bitterlings. Matsumoto et al (2014) suggested that speciation by sensory drive most likely occurs when the sensory trait is determined by a small number of loci. Indeed, the visual spectral sensitivity is related to the opsin genes, e.g., long-wavelength-sensitive opsin gene (lws) in cichlids, zebrafish (Danio rerio), and three-spined stickleback (Seehausen et al 2008;Shao et al 2014), or shortwavelength-sensitive opsin gene 2a (sws2a) in cichlids (Seehausen et al 2008).…”

Genetic and functional odorant receptor variation in the Homo lineage

“…Terrestrial animals probe the environment for information about food, mates, and danger 1 , 2 by binding odor molecules to odorant receptors (ORs). Variation in mammalian ORs is linked to dietary niche, habitat, and sociability.…”