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The ecological stage maintains preference differentiation and promotes speciation
Author(s) -
Boughman Janette W.,
Servedio Maria R.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/ele.13970
Subject(s) - preference , ecological speciation , biology , ecology , genetic algorithm , reproductive isolation , evolutionary biology , sexual selection , selection (genetic algorithm) , divergence (linguistics) , population , mate choice , genetic variation , demography , genetics , computer science , gene flow , linguistics , philosophy , artificial intelligence , mating , sociology , economics , gene , microeconomics
Influential models of speciation by sexual selection posit either a single shared preference for a universal display, expressed only when males are locally adapted and hence in high condition, or that shared loci evolve population‐specific alleles for displays and preferences. However, many closely related species instead show substantial differences across categorically different traits. We present a model of secondary contact whereby females maintain preferences for distinct displays that indicate both male condition and their match to distinct environments, fostering reproductive isolation among diverging species. This occurs even with search costs and with independent preference loci targeting independent displays. Such preferences can also evolve from standing variation. Divergence occurs because condition‐dependent display and female preference depend on local ecology, and females obtain different benefits of choice. Given the ubiquity of ecological differences among environments, our model could help explain the evolution of striking radiations of displays seen in nature.