Differential gene flow of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers among chromosomal races of Australian morabine grasshoppers (Vandiemenella, viatica species group)

Chromosomal Radiation: A model to explain karyotypic diversity in cryptic species

We present a concept that explains the pattern of occurrence of widely distributed organisms with large chromosomal diversity, large or small molecular divergence, and the insufficiency or absence of morphological identity. Our model is based on cytogenetic studies associated with molecular and biological data and can be applied to any lineage of sister species, chronospecies, or cryptic species. Through the evaluation of the karyotypic macrostructure, as the physical location of genes e satellites DNAs, in addition to phylogenetic reconstructions from mitochondrial and nuclear genes, per example, we have observed morphologically indistinguishable individuals presenting different locally fixed karyomorphs with phylogeographic discontinuity. The biological process behind this pattern is seen in many groups of cryptic species, in which variation lies mainly in the organization of their genomes but not necessarily in the ecosystems they inhabit or in their external morphology. It's similar to the processes behind other events observed in the distribution of lineages. In this work, we explore the hypothesis of a process analogous to ecological-evolutionary radiation, which we called Chromosomal Radiation. Chromosomal Radiation can be adaptive or non-adaptive and applied to different groups of organisms.

Dispersal Predicts Hybrid Zone Widths across Animal Diversity: Implications for Species Borders under Incomplete Reproductive Isolation

Hybrid zones occur as range boundaries for many animal taxa. One model for how hybrid zones form and stabilize is the tension zone model, a version of which predicts that hybrid zone widths are determined by a balance between random dispersal into hybrid zones and selection against hybrids. Here, we examine whether random dispersal and proxies for selection against hybrids (genetic distances between hybridizing pairs) can explain variation in hybrid zone widths across 131 hybridizing pairs of animals. We show that these factors alone can explain ∼40% of the variation in zone width among animal hybrid zones, with dispersal explaining far more of the variation than genetic distances. Patterns within clades were idiosyncratic. Genetic distances predicted hybrid zone widths particularly well for reptiles, while this relationship was opposite tension zone predictions in birds. Last, the data suggest that dispersal and molecular divergence set lower bounds on hybrid zone widths in animals, indicating that there are geographic restrictions on hybrid zone formation. Overall, our analyses reinforce the fundamental importance of dispersal in hybrid zone formation and more generally in the ecology of range boundaries.

Assortative mating between two sympatric closely-related specialists: inferred from molecular phylogenetic analysis and behavioral data

Host plant shifting of phytophagous insects can lead to the formation of host associated differentiation and ultimately speciation. In some cases, host plant specificity alone acts as a nearly complete pre-mating isolating barrier among insect populations. We here test whether effective pre-mating isolation and host-independent behavioral isolation have evolved under the condition of extreme host specilization using two sympatric flea beetles with incomplete post-mating isolation under laboratory conditions. Phylogenetic analysis and coalescent simulation results showed that there is a limited interspecific gene flow, indicating effctive isolation between these species. Three types of mating tests in the absence of host plant cues showed that strong host-independent behavioral isolation has evolved between them. We conclude that almost perfect assortative mating between these two extreme host specialists results from a combination of reduced encounter rates due to differential host preference and strong sexual isolation.

A genome scan and linkage disequilibrium analysis among chromosomal races of the Australian grasshopper Vandiemenella viatica

In the past decade the interest surrounding the role of recombination in speciation has been re-kindled by a new generation of chromosomal speciation models that invoke the recombination-suppression properties of some types of chromosomal rearrangement. A common prediction of recombination-suppression models is that gene exchange between diverging populations will be more restricted in regions of the genome that experience low recombination. We carried out a genome scan of three chromosomal races of the grasshopper Vandiemenella viatica (Orthoptera: Morabinae), occurring on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, using 1517 AFLP loci, with a view to elucidating the roles that selection and chromosomal variation have played in the formation of these taxa. An analysis of molecular variance demonstrated that chromosomal race accounted for a significant proportion of the genetic variance in the total dataset, which concurred with the findings of an earlier study. Sampling across one previously-identified hybrid zone, and the identification of outlier loci between parental races allowed us to establish that, in admixed populations, outlier loci which potentially pre-date the isolation of populations of races on Kangaroo Island exhibit higher levels of linkage disequilibrium with each other than putatively neutral loci. In turn this suggests that they might reside within genomic regions of low recombination, or be closely linked with each other.

Chromosomal Speciation Revisited: Modes of Diversification in Australian Morabine Grasshoppers (Vandiemenella, viatica Species Group)

Chromosomal rearrangements can alter the rate and patterns of gene flow within or between species through a reduction in the fitness of chromosomal hybrids or by reducing recombination rates in rearranged areas of the genome. This concept, together with the observation that many species have structural variation in chromosomes, has led to the theory that the rearrangements may play a direct role in promoting speciation. Australian morabine grasshoppers (genus Vandiemenella, viatica species group) are an excellent model for studying the role of chromosomal rearrangement in speciation because they show extensive chromosomal variation, parapatric distribution patterns, and narrow hybrid zones at their boundaries. This species group stimulated development of one of the classic chromosomal speciation models, the stasipatric speciation model proposed by White in 1968. Our population genetic and phylogeographic analyses revealed extensive non-monophyly of chromosomal races along with historical and on-going gene introgression between them. These findings suggest that geographical isolation leading to the fixation of chromosomal variants in different geographic regions, followed by secondary contact, resulted in the present day parapatric distributions of chromosomal races. The significance of chromosomal rearrangements in the diversification of the viatica species group can be explored by comparing patterns of genetic differentiation between rearranged and co-linear parts of the genome.

Nuclear-mitochondrial barcoding exposes the global pest Western flower thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) as two sympatric cryptic species in its native California

Over the past three decades, Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), has become a major worldwide pest of many agricultural and horticultural crops. In response, much time, money, and effort have been put into pure and applied research focusing on the biology and control of this pest. Western flower thrips is native to Western North America and widespread in California. High levels of variation in basic biology, pest status, and resistance to insecticides bring into question the specific status of Western flower thrips. We used nuclear-mitochondrial barcoding to compare DNA sequences of nuclear and mitochondrial genes between Western flower thrips populations across California, looking for association between these unlinked loci. Sequences of D2 domain of 28S and cytochrome c oxidase I gene revealed the existence of two distinct but sympatric genetic entities, and we describe a simple polymerase chain reaction-based method for diagnosing these entities. The complete association of these nuclear and mitochondrial loci in areas of sympatry is indicative of reproductive isolation and the existence of two cryptic species, both of which key out to Western flower thrips by using morphological characters. The finding that Western flower thrips is a complex of two species has important implications for past, current, and most importantly future research on these pests.

Toward routine, DNA-based detection methods for marine pests

Marine pest incursions can cause significant ongoing damage to aquaculture, biodiversity, fisheries habitat, infrastructure and social amenity. They represent a significant and ongoing economic burden. Marine pests can be introduced by several vectors including aquaculture, aquarium trading, commercial shipping, fishing, floating debris, mining activities and recreational boating. Despite the inherent risks, there is currently relatively little routine surveillance of marine pest species conducted in the majority of countries worldwide. Accurate and rapid identification of marine pest species is central to early detection and management. Traditional techniques (e.g. physical sampling and sorting), have limitations, which has motivated some progress towards the development of molecular diagnostic tools. This review provides a brief account of the techniques traditionally used for detection and describes developments in molecular-based methods for the detection and surveillance of marine pest species. Recent advances provide a platform for the development of practical, specific, sensitive and rapid diagnosis and surveillance tools for marine pests for use in effective prevention and control strategies.

Stasipatric speciation: resurrecting a system to bury a hypothesis?

The process of speciation remains a fundamental topic in evolutionary biology. Numerous models of speciation have been proposed and they are as diverse and colourful as the scientists who conceived them (Coyne & Orr 2004). One of the more controversial theories has been the 'stasipatric speciation' model, proposed by the pioneering and influential cytogeneticist Michael White and his co-workers (White 1968; White et al. 1967). This is one of a number of speciation models whereby chromosomal rearrangements drive the speciation process. The inspiration for the theory of stasipatric speciation came from White's karyotypic analyses of a group of Australian grasshoppers of the genus Vandiemenella (White et al. 1967) (Fig. 1). It has been exactly three decades since the last scientific publication on this group of grasshoppers, over which time the molecular revolution dramatically altered the landscape of evolutionary genetics. Kawakami and colleagues have successfully resurrected the Vandiemenella system (Kawakami et al. 2009a, 2007) and in this issue they have applied modern molecular-based techniques to reassess the validity of the stasipatric speciation model for this historically important group (Kawakami et al. 2009b).

Population genetic structure, gene flow and sex-biased dispersal in frillneck lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii)

By using both mitochondrial and nuclear multiloci markers, we explored population genetic structure, gene flow and sex-specific dispersal of frillneck lizards (Chlamydosaurus kingii) sampled at three locations, separated by 10 to 50 km, in a homogenous savannah woodland in tropical Australia. Apart from a recombinant lizard, the mitochondrial analyses revealed two nonoverlapping haplotypes/populations, while the nuclear markers showed that the frillneck lizards represented three separate clusters/populations. Due to the small population size of the mtDNA, fixation may occur via founder effects and/or drift. We therefore suggest that either of these two processes, or a combination of the two, are the most likely causes of the discordant results obtained from the mitochondrial and the nuclear markers. In contrast to the nonoverlapping mitochondrial haplotypes, in 12 out of 74 lizards, mixed nuclear genotypes were observed, hence revealing a limited nuclear gene flow. Although gene flow should ultimately result in a blending of the populations, we propose that the distinct nuclear population structure is maintained by frequent fires resulting in local bottlenecks, and concomitant spatial separation of the frillneck lizard populations. Limited mark-recapture data and the difference in distribution of the mitochondrial and nuclear markers suggest that the mixed nuclear genotypes were caused by juvenile male-biased dispersal.

The evolution of sexual and parthenogenetic Warramaba: a window onto Plio-Pleistocene diversification processes in an arid biome

Environmental changes over the Plio-Pleistocene have been key drivers of speciation patterns and genetic diversification in high-latitude and mesic environments, yet comparatively little is known about the evolutionary history of species in arid environments. We applied phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses to understand the evolutionary history of Warramaba grasshoppers from the Australian arid zone, a group including sexual and parthenogenetic lineages. Sequence data (mitochondrial COI) showed that the four major sexual lineages within Warramaba most likely diverged in the Pliocene, around 2-7 million years ago. All sexual lineages exhibited considerable phylogenetic structure. Detailed analyses of the hybrid parthenogenetic species W. virgo and its sexual progenitors showed a pattern of high phylogenetic diversity and phylogeographic structure in northern lineages, and low diversity and evidence for recent expansion in southern lineages. Northern sexual lineages persisted in localized refugia over the Pleistocene, with sustained barriers promoting divergence over this period. Southern parts of the present range became periodically unsuitable during the Pleistocene, and it is into this region that parthenogenetic lineages have expanded. Our results strongly parallel those for sexual and parthenogenetic lineages of the gecko Heteronotia from the same region, indicating a highly general effect of Plio-Pleistocene environmental change on diversification processes in arid Australia.

Geographic variation in the advertisement call of Crinia signifera (Anura:Myobatrachidae) on Kangaroo Island and across southern south-eastern Australia

The male advertisement call of anuran amphibians has a major role in mate choice, and regional variation in this attribute can act as an indicator of speciation and a marker for genetic differentiation. As part of a regional study of geographic variation in the male advertisement call of Crinia signifera across south-eastern Australia and adjacent larger continental islands, samples of advertisement calls from two populations on Kangaroo Island and two populations on the adjacent Fleurieu Peninsula were compared. Four call attributes were considered: pulse number, call duration, pulse rate and dominant frequency. Pulse number is considered the most reliable for comparative purposes because it is not influenced by effective temperature or audio recording and analysis. The two island populations (central and eastern, ~24 km apart) differ significantly in pulse number, with contact but no overlap of interquartile ranges. The eastern sample differs markedly from those on the nearby Fleurieu Peninsula – which are both similar to the more distant central island sample. Geographic variation in pulse number in these four samples and 11 others from two recent publications is then interpreted in the light of land bridges and lower temperatures of the late Pleistocene and early Holocene.