Open AccessAnalysis of a contact zone in the Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) species complex in the Pyrenean Mountains
Author(s) -
Guillet S.,
Guiller A.,
Deunff J.,
Vancassel M.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
heredity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.441
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1365-2540
pISSN - 0018-067X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2540.2000.00775.x
Subject(s) - biology , introgression , sympatric speciation , zoology , hybrid zone , species complex , hybrid , restriction fragment length polymorphism , botany , genetics , gene flow , genetic variation , genotype , gene , phylogenetic tree
The taxon Forficula auricularia L. (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) is a complex of two sibling species that differ in life history (number of clutches per year and imaginal diapause) and that have diverged at the molecular level. The study of a contact zone in the Pyrenean Mountains, using the PCR‐RFLP method on two mitochondrial regions (the 16S rRNA and the Cytochrome Oxidase intergenic region), revealed the coexistence of the sibling species at intermediate altitude (1200 m) whereas at lower and higher altitudes only one species was found. An allozyme study, conducted simultaneously and based on four polymorphic loci ( PGI1 , AAT1 , Est‐P1 and Est‐P2 ), showed no sign of nuclear introgression. The apparent lack of hybridization in the field is consistent with a postzygotic barrier observed in the laboratory (a nearly complete failure to produce F 1 hybrids). This contact zone is probably a sympatric zone between two genetically differentiated species.