Sex chromosome-linked species recognition and evolution of reproductive isolation in flycatchers.
Interbreeding between species (hybridization) typically produces unfit offspring. Reduced hybridization should therefore be favored by natural selection. However, this is difficult to accomplish because hybridization also sets the stage for genetic recombination to dissociate species-specific traits from the preferences for them. Here we show that this association is maintained by physical linkage (on the same chromosome) in two hybridizing Ficedula flycatchers. By analyzing the mating patterns of female hybrids and cross-fostered offspring, we demonstrate that species recognition is inherited on the Z chromosome, which is also the known location of species-specific male plumage traits and genes causing low hybrid fitness. Limited recombination on the Z chromosome maintains associations of Z-linked genes despite hybridization, suggesting that the sex chromosomes may be a hotspot for adaptive speciation.
Saether
Stein A
SA
Department of Animal Population Biology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Post Office Box 40, 6666 ZG Heteren, Netherlands. s.a.sather@bio.uio.no
Saetre
Glenn-Peter
GP
Borge
Thomas
T
Wiley
Chris
C
Svedin
Nina
N
Andersson
Gunilla
G
Veen
Thor
T
Haavie
Jon
J
Servedio
Maria R
MR
Bures
Stanislav
S
Král
Miroslav
M
Hjernquist
Mårten B
MB
Gustafsson
Lars
L
Träff
Johan
J
Qvarnström
Anna
A
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005241:Feathers; D005260:Female; D051456:Gene Flow; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D052586:Mating Preference, Animal; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D012098:Reproduction; D012730:Sex Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D020308:Songbirds / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*