1
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Aguillon SM, Haase Cox SK, Langdon QK, Gunn TR, Baczenas JJ, Banerjee SM, Donny AE, Moran BM, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez C, Ríos-Cárdenas O, Morris MR, Powell DL, Schumer M. Pervasive gene flow despite strong and varied reproductive barriers in swordtails. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.16.589374. [PMID: 38659793 PMCID: PMC11042374 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.16.589374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
One of the mechanisms that can lead to the formation of new species occurs through the evolution of reproductive barriers. However, recent research has demonstrated that hybridization has been pervasive across the tree of life even in the presence of strong barriers. Swordtail fishes (genus Xiphophorus) are an emerging model system for studying the interface between these barriers and hybridization. We document overlapping mechanisms that act as barriers between closely related species, X. birchmanni and X. cortezi, by combining genomic sequencing from natural hybrid populations, artificial crosses, behavioral assays, sperm performance, and developmental studies. We show that strong assortative mating plays a key role in maintaining subpopulations with distinct ancestry in natural hybrid populations. Lab experiments demonstrate that artificial F1 crosses experience dysfunction: crosses with X. birchmanni females were largely inviable and crosses with X. cortezi females had a heavily skewed sex ratio. Using F2 hybrids we identify several genomic regions that strongly impact hybrid viability. Strikingly, two of these regions underlie genetic incompatibilities in hybrids between X. birchmanni and its sister species X. malinche. Our results demonstrate that ancient hybridization has played a role in the origin of this shared genetic incompatibility. Moreover, ancestry mismatch at these incompatible regions has remarkably similar consequences for phenotypes and hybrid survival in X. cortezi × X. birchmanni hybrids as in X. malinche × X. birchmanni hybrids. Our findings identify varied reproductive barriers that shape genetic exchange between naturally hybridizing species and highlight the complex evolutionary outcomes of hybridization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepfanie M. Aguillon
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, México
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Quinn K. Langdon
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, México
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Theresa R. Gunn
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, México
| | | | - Shreya M. Banerjee
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin M. Moran
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, México
| | | | - Oscar Ríos-Cárdenas
- Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, México
| | - Molly R. Morris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel L. Powell
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, México
| | - Molly Schumer
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, México
- Freeman Hrabowski Fellow, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
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2
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Hulse SV, Renoult JP, Mendelson TC. Using deep neural networks to model similarity between visual patterns: Application to fish sexual signals. ECOL INFORM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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3
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Roberts NS, Mendelson TC. Identifying female phenotypes that promote behavioral isolation in a sexually dimorphic species of fish Etheostoma zonale. Curr Zool 2020; 67:225-236. [PMID: 33854540 PMCID: PMC8026156 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoaa054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In sexually dimorphic species characterized by exaggerated male ornamentation, behavioral isolation is often attributed to female preferences for conspecific male signals. Yet, in a number of sexually dimorphic species, male mate choice also results in behavioral isolation. In many of these cases, the female traits that mediate species boundaries are unclear. Females in sexually dimorphic species typically lack many of the elaborate traits that are present in males and that are often used for taxonomic classification of species. In a diverse and largely sexually dimorphic group of fishes called darters (Percidae: Etheostoma), male mate choice contributes to behavioral isolation between a number of species; however, studies addressing which female traits males prefer are lacking. In this study, we identified the dominant female pattern for two sympatric species, Etheostoma zonale and Etheostoma barrenense, using pattern energy analysis, and we used discriminate function analysis to identify which aspects of female patterning can reliably classify species. We then tested the role of female features in male mate choice for E. zonale, by measuring male preference for computer animations displaying the identified (species-specific) conspecific features. We found that the region above the lateral line is important in mediating male mate preferences, with males spending a significantly greater proportion of time with animations exhibiting conspecific female patterning in this region than with animations exhibiting heterospecific female patterning. Our results suggest that the aspects of female phenotypes that are the target of male mate choice are different from the conspicuous male phenotypes that traditionally characterize species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
| | - Tamra C Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, 21250, USA
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4
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Singh P, Ballmer DN, Laubscher M, Schärer L. Successful mating and hybridisation in two closely related flatworm species despite significant differences in reproductive morphology and behaviour. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12830. [PMID: 32732887 PMCID: PMC7393371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69767-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive traits are some of the fastest diverging characters and can serve as reproductive barriers. The free-living flatworm Macrostomum lignano, and its congener M. janickei are closely related, but differ substantially in their male intromittent organ (stylet) morphology. Here, we examine whether these morphological differences are accompanied by differences in behavioural traits, and whether these could represent barriers to successful mating and hybridization between the two species. Our data shows that the two species differ in many aspects of their mating behaviour. Despite these differences, the species mate readily with each other in heterospecific pairings. Although both species have similar fecundity in conspecific pairings, the heterospecific pairings revealed clear postmating barriers, as few heterospecific pairings produced F1 hybrids. These hybrids had a stylet morphology that was intermediate between that of the parental species, and they were fertile. Finally, using a mate choice experiment, we show that the nearly two-fold higher mating rate of M. lignano caused it to mate more with conspecifics, leading to assortative mating, while M. janickei ended up mating more with heterospecifics. Thus, while the two species can hybridize, the mating rate differences could possibly lead to higher fitness costs for M. janickei compared to M. lignano.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Singh
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel N Ballmer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland.,Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Max Laubscher
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Schärer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Vesalgasse 1, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
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5
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Mattson CL, Roberts NS, Mendelson TC. Male preference for conspecific females depends on male size in the splendid darter, Etheostoma barrenense. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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6
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Hulse SV, Renoult JP, Mendelson TC. Sexual signaling pattern correlates with habitat pattern in visually ornamented fishes. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2561. [PMID: 32444815 PMCID: PMC7244530 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16389-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual signal design is an evolutionary puzzle that has been partially solved by the hypothesis of sensory drive. Framed in signal detection theory, sensory drive posits that the attractiveness of a signal depends on its detectability, measured as contrast with the background. Yet, cognitive scientists have shown that humans prefer images that match the spatial statistics of natural scenes. The explanation is framed in information theory, whereby attractiveness is determined by the efficiency of information processing. Here, we apply this framework to animals, using Fourier analysis to compare the spatial statistics of body patterning in ten species of darters (Etheostoma spp.) with those of their respective habitats. We find a significant correlation between the spatial statistics of darter patterns and those of their habitats for males, but not for females. Our results support a sensory drive hypothesis that recognizes efficient information processing as a driving force in signal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel V Hulse
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Julien P Renoult
- CEFE, University of Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, University of Paul-Valery Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Tamra C Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
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7
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Scherer U, Godin JGJ, Schuett W. Do female rainbow kribs choose males on the basis of their apparent aggression and boldness? A non-correlational mate choice study. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2794-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Consistent between-individual differences in behaviour, known as personality differences, are heritable and have consequences for individual survival and reproductive success. Therefore, it is likely that personality differences are not just under natural but also under sexual selection. Indeed, the recently developed idea that individuals choose their mate based on its personality finds empirical support. However, most studies on mate choice based on personality traits are correlative pioneering work and there is a paucity of experimental studies that test for causality by disentangling personality measures from other, potentially correlated traits that may be important during mate choice. Here, we tested female preference for the apparent level and consistency of either male aggression (measured as mean distance of approach towards an animated opponent, manipulated by locating males at a fixed distance) or male boldness (measured as activity under a simulated predation threat, manipulated using a gradient in ambient water temperature) in a bi-parental West African cichlid, Pelvicachromis pulcher. Females could observe the apparent behaviour of paired stimulus males and were allowed to choose between the two stimulus males in a subsequent choice test. We found no direct effect of male apparent aggression/boldness on female choice, but an indirect effect such that female preference for the apparently bold male increased with increasing within-male pair contrast in their apparent level of boldness. Our results indicate females consider male boldness per se during mate choice, suggesting male boldness is sexually selected in our study species.
Significance statement
Ever since Darwin introduced the concept of sexual selection, female choice has been studied extensively. However, the hypothesis that consistent between-individual differences in behaviour (known as personality differences) affect mate choice is relatively new. Correlative studies support this idea but provide only suggestive evidence. Here, we used behavioural manipulations in order to disentangle male behaviour from other, potentially correlated male traits, allowing us to test for causality between female choice and personality differences in male aggression and boldness (both in level and consistency of behaviour) in a bi-parental cichlid. We found no overall female preference for male apparent behaviour, but female preference for the bold-appearing male increased with increasing between-male contrast in apparent boldness. Our results indicate a causal link between female choice and male boldness. In future, behavioural manipulations using a temperature gradient could provide further valuable insights.
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8
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Roberts NS, Mendelson TC. Reinforcement in the banded darter Etheostoma zonale: The effect of sex and sympatry on preferences. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:2499-2512. [PMID: 32184997 PMCID: PMC7069321 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Reinforcement occurs when selection against hybrid offspring strengthens behavioral isolation between parental species and may be an important factor in speciation. Theoretical models and experimental evidence indicate that both female and male preferences can be strengthened upon secondary contact via reinforcement. However, the question remains whether this process is more likely to affect the preferences of one sex or the other. Males of polygynous species are often predicted to exhibit weaker preferences than females, potentially limiting the ability for reinforcement to shape male preferences. Yet, in darters (Percidae: Etheostoma), male preference for conspecific mates appears to arise before female preferences during the early stages of allopatric speciation, and research suggests that male, but not female, preferences become reinforced upon secondary contact. In the current study, we aimed to determine whether the geographically widespread darter species Etheostoma zonale exhibits a signature of reinforcement, by comparing the strength of preference for conspecific mates between populations that are sympatric and allopatric with respect to a close congener, E. barrenense. We examined the strength of preference for conspecifics for males and females separately to determine whether the preferences of one or both sexes have been strengthened by reinforcement. Our results show that both sexes of E. zonale from sympatric populations exhibit stronger conspecific preferences than E. zonale from allopatric populations, but that female preferences appear to be more strongly reinforced than male preferences. Results therefore suggest that reinforcement of female preferences may promote behavioral isolation upon secondary contact, even in a genus that is characterized by pervasive male mate choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S. Roberts
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Tamra C. Mendelson
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore CountyBaltimoreMDUSA
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9
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Soudry O, Kaira H, Parsa S, Mendelson T. Male rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) prefer larger conspecific females. Behav Processes 2019; 170:104013. [PMID: 31751600 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.104013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Female mate choice is a well studied mechanism of sexual selection that can affect the evolution of male secondary sexual traits. However, males also exhibit selective mate choice in some animals, which can affect the evolution of female phenotypes. We tested for evidence of intraspecific male mate choice in the Rainbow Darter (Percidae: Etheostoma caeruleum). Males of numerous darter species have been shown to prefer conspecific over heterospecific females; however, intraspecific preferences in males have not yet been demonstrated in this genus. This study investigated male preference for indicators of female fecundity, specifically female size. We found that male Rainbow Darters prefer larger females, both in dichotomous choice tests, when access between individuals was prevented, and in unrestricted behavioral tests with full access to females. Notably, however, the dichotomous trials were not repeatable; males only displayed a significant preference for larger females in the first dichotomous trial and in the unrestricted trial. We discuss our results in light of experimental methods and the role of male mate choice in sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Soudry
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
| | - Hatib Kaira
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
| | - Shabnam Parsa
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
| | - Tamra Mendelson
- University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, Maryland 21250 United States
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10
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Roberts NS, McCaulley C, Mendelson TC. Validating the use of computer animations in male Etheostoma zonale: a comparison of individual response to live and artificial stimuli. Curr Zool 2019; 65:725-727. [PMID: 31857819 PMCID: PMC6911848 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoz020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie S Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caitlyn McCaulley
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tamra C Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
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11
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Tanner JC, Garbe LM, Zuk M. When virginity matters: age and mating status affect female responsiveness in crickets. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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12
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Arkorful M, Gazo K, Zweig A, Ott L, Mendelson T, deCarvalho T. Larger sperm size may contribute to reproductive isolation between Etheostoma species. JOURNAL OF YOUNG INVESTIGATORS 2018; 35:92-96. [PMID: 31097926 PMCID: PMC6516065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Etheostoma is a genus of North American darter fish whose species have similar habitats and breeding seasons, yet hybridization is rare. Behavioral barriers have been demonstrated to play a key role in maintaining species boundaries. Further, conspecific (same species) sperm precedence has also been observed when the gametes of two different species come into contact. In this study, we investigated if physical characteristics of sperm could be a mechanism for the lower fertilization success of heterospecific (different species) males when eggs are simultaneously exposed to conspecific and heterospecific sperm. We chose to examine the sperm of two closely related species, E. zonale and E. barrenense. Using toluidine blue and immunofluorescent labeling methods, we compared head diameter and tail length of sperm cells between the two species. We found that head diameter was significantly larger for E. barrenense sperm compared to E. zonale. This difference in cell morphology may point to a physical mechanism underlying conspecific sperm precedence in Etheostoma. Our results are the first to describe a morphological difference in sperm between species in this genus and provide initial evidence for the role of sperm morphology in prezygotic reproductive isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercy Arkorful
- Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
| | - Katrina Gazo
- Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
| | - Aaron Zweig
- Montgomery College, Mannakee St., Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Laura Ott
- College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Tamra Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
| | - Tagide deCarvalho
- College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
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13
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Robertson JM, Nava R, Vega A, Kaiser K. Uniformity in premating reproductive isolation along an intraspecific cline. Curr Zool 2018; 64:641-652. [PMID: 30323843 PMCID: PMC6178793 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zox066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Premating reproductive isolation (RI) may reduce gene flow across populations that have differentiated in traits important for mate choice. Examining RI across genetic and phenotypic clines can inform the fundamental evolutionary processes that underlie population and lineage differentiation. We conducted female mate-choice studies across an intraspecific red-eyed treefrog cline in Costa Rica and Panama with 2 specific aims: (1) to characterize RI across the cline and examine the relationship between premating RI and genetic and phenotypic distance and (2) to evaluate our results within a broader evolutionary and taxonomic perspective through examination of other RI studies. We found that female red-eyed treefrogs prefer local males relative to non-local males, indicating that some premating RI has evolved in this system, but that preference strength is not associated with phenotypic or geographic distance. Our analysis of 65 other studies revealed no clear pattern between the strength of RI and geographic distribution (allopatry, parapatry, cline) or phenotypic distance, but revealed extreme variation and overlap in levels of intra- and interspecific levels of RI. This work contributes to a growing body of literature that examines intraspecific RI across a cline to understand the selective processes that shape evolutionary patterns at the earliest stages of divergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Marie Robertson
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA, USA.,Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Roman Nava
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA, USA.,Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Andrés Vega
- AMBICOR, 400 E., 75 S., 75 E. de la Municipalidad de Tibas, Tibas, Costa Rica
| | - Kristine Kaiser
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA, USA.,Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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14
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Moran RL, Zhou M, Catchen JM, Fuller RC. Hybridization and postzygotic isolation promote reinforcement of male mating preferences in a diverse group of fishes with traditional sex roles. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9282-9294. [PMID: 30377500 PMCID: PMC6194240 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral isolation is thought to arise early in speciation due to differential sexual and/or natural selection favoring different preferences and traits in different lineages. Instead, behavioral isolation can arise due to reinforcement favoring traits and preferences that prevent maladaptive hybridization. In darters, female preference for male coloration has been hypothesized to drive speciation, because behavioral isolation evolves before F1 inviability. However, as with many long-lived organisms, the fitness of second-generation hybrids has not been assessed because raising animals to adulthood in the laboratory is challenging. Of late, reinforcement of male preferences has been implicated in darters because male preference for conspecific females is high in sympatry but absent in allopatry in multiple species pairs. The hypothesis that reinforcement accounts for behavioral isolation in sympatry assumes that hybridization and postzygotic isolation are present. Here, we used genomic and morphological data to demonstrate that hybridization is ongoing between orangethroat and rainbow darters and used hybrids collected from nature to measure postzygotic barriers across two hybrid generations. We observed sex ratio distortion in adult F1s and a dramatic reduction in backcross survival. Our findings indicate that selection to avoid hybridization promotes the evolution of male-driven behavioral isolation via reinforcement in this system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L. Moran
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
- Department of Animal BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
| | - Muchu Zhou
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
- Department of Animal BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
| | - Julian M. Catchen
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
- Department of Animal BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
| | - Rebecca C. Fuller
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
- Department of Animal BiologyUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignChampaignIllinois
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15
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Justus KT, Mendelson TC. Male preference for conspecific mates is stronger than females' in Betta splendens. Behav Processes 2018; 151:6-10. [PMID: 29501548 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The higher energetic cost related to female gamete investment is classically considered the driving force behind sexual selection. This asymmetric cost of reproduction is thought to cause female preference for elaborate male ornamentation. Subsequent co-evolution of female preferences and male ornaments is thought then to lead to a greater preference for conspecific mates in females as compared to males. Thus, female choice is classically assumed to contribute more than male choice to behavioral isolation between sexually dimorphic species. However, this hypothesis fails to account for the cost of maintaining a territory, building a nest, courtship displays, ornament investment, and parental care, as seen in males of the Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens. Here we show that male B. splendens have a greater preference for female conspecifics than females have for male conspecifics, when given a choice between conspecifics and the allopatric Betta imbellis. We hypothesize that in B. splendens, the cost of mating may be higher for males than females, and predict that male choice would contribute to behavioral isolation upon secondary contact of wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Justus
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
| | - Tamra C Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, USA.
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16
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Moran RL, Soukup RM, Zhou M, Fuller RC. Egg viability decreases rapidly with time since ovulation in the rainbow darter Etheostoma caeruleum: implications for the costs of choosiness. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2018; 92:532-536. [PMID: 29230804 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Egg viability in the rainbow darter Etheostoma caeruleum, a fish apparently lacking female mate choice, was found to decline rapidly after ovulation. It was observed that the majority of a female's clutch may fail to hatch if she is prevented from mating for as little as 6 h. These data suggest that exercising female mate preferences may be selectively disfavoured in E. caeruleum due to the high cost of delaying mating.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Moran
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61820, U.S.A
| | - R M Soukup
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61820, U.S.A
| | - M Zhou
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61820, U.S.A
| | - R C Fuller
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, Department of Animal Biology, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois 61820, U.S.A
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17
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Mendelson TC, Gumm JM, Martin MD, Ciccotto PJ. Preference for conspecifics evolves earlier in males than females in a sexually dimorphic radiation of fishes. Evolution 2017; 72:337-347. [PMID: 29265367 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Speciation by sexual selection is generally modeled as the coevolution of female preferences and elaborate male ornaments leading to behavioral (sexual) reproductive isolation. One prediction of these models is that female preference for conspecific males should evolve earlier than male preference for conspecific females in sexually dimorphic species with male ornaments. We tested that prediction in darters, a diverse group of freshwater fishes with sexually dimorphic ornamentation. Focusing on the earliest stages of divergence, we tested preference for conspecific mates in males and females of seven closely related species pairs. Contrary to expectation, male preference for conspecific females was significantly greater than female preference for conspecific males. Males in four of the 14 species significantly preferred conspecific females; whereas, females in no species significantly preferred conspecific males. Relationships between the strength of preference for conspecifics and genetic distance revealed no difference in slope between males and females, but a significant difference in intercept, also suggesting that male preference evolves earlier than females'. Our results are consistent with other recent studies in darters and suggest that the coevolution of female preferences and male ornaments may not best explain the earliest stages of behavioral isolation in this lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamra C Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21250
| | - Jennifer M Gumm
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962
| | - Michael D Martin
- Department of Biology, Oxford College of Emory University, Oxford, Georgia 30054
| | - Patrick J Ciccotto
- Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695
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18
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Moran RL, Zhou M, Catchen JM, Fuller RC. Male and female contributions to behavioral isolation in darters as a function of genetic distance and color distance. Evolution 2017; 71:2428-2444. [PMID: 28776645 PMCID: PMC5656840 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Determining which reproductive isolating barriers arise first between geographically isolated lineages is critical to understanding allopatric speciation. We examined behavioral isolation among four recently diverged allopatric species in the orangethroat darter clade (Etheostoma: Ceasia). We also examined behavioral isolation between each Ceasia species and the sympatric rainbow darter Etheostoma caeruleum. We asked (1) is behavioral isolation present between allopatric Ceasia species, and how does this compare to behavioral isolation with E. caeruleum, (2) does male color distance and/or genetic distance predict behavioral isolation between species, and (3) what are the relative contributions of female choice, male choice, and male competition to behavioral isolation? We found that behavioral isolation, genetic differentiation, and male color pattern differentiation were present between allopatric Ceasia species. Males, but not females, discerned between conspecific and heterospecific mates. Males also directed more aggression toward conspecific rival males. The high levels of behavioral isolation among Ceasia species showed no obvious pattern with genetic distance or male color distance. However, when the E. caeruleum was included in the analysis, an association between male aggression and male color distance was apparent. We discuss the possibility that reinforcement between Ceasia and E. caeruleum is driving behavioral isolation among allopatric Ceasia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Moran
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820.,Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820
| | - Muchu Zhou
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820.,Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820
| | - Julian M Catchen
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820.,Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820
| | - Rebecca C Fuller
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820.,Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 61820
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19
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Roberts NS, Gumm JM, Mendelson TC. Darter (Percidae: Etheostoma) species differ in their response to video stimuli. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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20
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Roberts NS, Mendelson TC. Male mate choice contributes to behavioural isolation in sexually dimorphic fish with traditional sex roles. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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21
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Different or alike? Female rainbow kribs choose males of similar consistency and dissimilar level of boldness. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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22
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Kniel N, Müller K, Witte K. The role of the model in mate-choice copying in female zebra finches. Ethology 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kniel
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology; Institute of Biology; Department of Chemistry and Biology; University of Siegen; Siegen Germany
| | - Katharina Müller
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology; Institute of Biology; Department of Chemistry and Biology; University of Siegen; Siegen Germany
| | - Klaudia Witte
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology; Institute of Biology; Department of Chemistry and Biology; University of Siegen; Siegen Germany
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23
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Gierszewski S, Müller K, Smielik I, Hütwohl JM, Kuhnert KD, Witte K. The virtual lover: variable and easily guided 3D fish animations as an innovative tool in mate-choice experiments with sailfin mollies-II. Validation. Curr Zool 2017; 63:65-74. [PMID: 29491964 PMCID: PMC5804156 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of computer animation in behavioral research is a state-of-the-art method for designing and presenting animated animals to live test animals. The major advantages of computer animations are: (1) the creation of animated animal stimuli with high variability of morphology and even behavior; (2) animated stimuli provide highly standardized, controlled and repeatable testing procedures; and (3) they allow a reduction in the number of live test animals regarding the 3Rs principle. But the use of animated animals should be attended by a thorough validation for each test species to verify that behavior measured with live animals toward virtual animals can also be expected with natural stimuli. Here we present results on the validation of a custom-made simulation for animated 3D sailfin mollies Poecilia latipinna and show that responses of live test females were as strong to an animated fish as to a video or a live male fish. Movement of an animated stimulus was important but female response was stronger toward a swimming 3D fish stimulus than to a "swimming" box. Moreover, male test fish were able to discriminate between animated male and female stimuli; hence, rendering the animated 3D fish a useful tool in mate-choice experiments with sailfin mollies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Gierszewski
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2, Siegen, 57068, Germany
| | - Klaus Müller
- Institute of Real-Time Learning Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstraße 3, Siegen, 57076, Germany
| | - Ievgen Smielik
- Institute of Real-Time Learning Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstraße 3, Siegen, 57076, Germany
| | - Jan-Marco Hütwohl
- Institute of Real-Time Learning Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstraße 3, Siegen, 57076, Germany
| | - Klaus-Dieter Kuhnert
- Institute of Real-Time Learning Systems, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of Siegen, Hölderlinstraße 3, Siegen, 57076, Germany
| | - Klaudia Witte
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2, Siegen, 57068, Germany
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24
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Roth-Monzón AJ, Scott LE, Camargo AA, Clark EI, Schott EE, Johnson JB. Sympatry Predicts Spot Pigmentation Patterns and Female Association Behavior in the Livebearing Fish Poeciliopsis baenschi. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170326. [PMID: 28107407 PMCID: PMC5249170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we explored the possibility that differences in pigmentation patterns among populations of the fish Poeciliopsis baenschi were associated with the presence or absence of the closely related species P. turneri. If reproductive character displacement is responsible, spotting patterns in these two species should diverge in sympatry, but not allopatry. We predicted that female P. baenschi from sympatric sites should show a preference for associating with conspecifics vs. heterospecific males, but females from allopatric sites should show no such preferences. To evaluate these predictions, we compared spotting patterns and female association behaviors in populations of P. baenschi from Central Mexico. We found that both of our predictions were supported. Poeciliopsis baenschi that co-occured with P. turneri had spotting patterns significantly different than their counterparts from allopatric sites. Using a simultaneous choice test of video presentations of males, we also found that female P. baenschi from populations that co-occured with P. turneri spent significantly more time with males of their own species than with P. turneri males. In contrast, females from allopatric populations of P. baenschi showed no differences in the amount of time they spent with either conspecific or heterospecific males. Together, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that reproductive character displacement may be responsible for behavioral and spotting pattern differences in these populations of P. baenschi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Roth-Monzón
- Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Laura E Scott
- Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Ashley A Camargo
- Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Eliza I Clark
- Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Eric E Schott
- Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
| | - Jerald B Johnson
- Evolutionary Ecology Laboratories, Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America.,Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, United States of America
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25
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Ciccotto PJ, Mendelson TC. The ecological drivers of nuptial color evolution in darters (Percidae: Etheostomatinae). Evolution 2016; 70:745-56. [PMID: 27003224 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Closely related animal lineages often vary in male coloration, and ecological selection is hypothesized to shape this variation. The role of ecological selection in inhibiting male color has been documented extensively at the population level, but relatively few studies have investigated the evolution of male coloration across a clade of closely related species. Darters are a diverse group of fishes that vary in the presence of elaborate male nuptial coloration, with some species exhibiting vivid color patterns and others mostly or entirely achromatic. We used phylogenetic logistic regression to test for correlations between the presence/absence of color traits across darter species and the ecological conditions in which these species occur. Environmental variables were correlated with the presence of nuptial color in darters with colorful species tending to inhabit environments that would support fewer predators and potentially transmit a broader spectrum of natural light compared to species lacking male coloration. We also tested the color preferences of a common darter predator, largemouth bass, and found that it exhibits a strong preference for red, providing further evidence of predation as a source of selection on color evolution in darters. Ecological selection therefore appears to be an important factor in dictating the presence or absence of male coloration in this group of fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Ciccotto
- Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611.
| | - Tamra C Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250
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26
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Kniel N, Bender S, Witte K. Sex-Specific Audience Effect in the Context of Mate Choice in Zebra Finches. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147130. [PMID: 26839957 PMCID: PMC4739725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals observing conspecifics during mate choice can gain additional information about potential mates. However, the presence of an observer, if detected by the observed individuals, can influence the nature of the behavior of the observed individuals, called audience effect. In zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), domesticated males show an audience effect during mate choice. However, whether male and female descendants of the wild form show an audience effect during mate choice is unknown. Therefore, we conducted an experiment where male and female focal birds could choose between two distinctive phenotypes of the opposite sex, an artificially adorned stimulus bird with a red feather on the forehead and an unadorned stimulus bird, two times consecutively, once without an audience and once with an audience bird (same sex as test bird). Males showed an audience effect when an audience male was present and spent more time with adorned and less time with unadorned females compared to when there was no audience present. The change in time spent with the respective stimulus females was positively correlated with the time that the audience male spent in front of its cage close to the focal male. Females showed no change in mate choice when an audience female was present, but their motivation to associate with both stimulus males decreased. In a control for mate-choice consistency there was no audience in either test. Here, both focal females and focal males chose consistently without a change in choosing motivation. Our results showed that there is an audience effect on mate choice in zebra finches and that the response to a same-sex audience was sex-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kniel
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Institute of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bender
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Institute of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Klaudia Witte
- Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Institute of Biology, Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
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27
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Martin MD, Mendelson TC. Male behaviour predicts trait divergence and the evolution of reproductive isolation in darters (Percidae: Etheostoma). Anim Behav 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.11.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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28
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Martin MD, Mendelson TC. The accumulation of reproductive isolation in early stages of divergence supports a role for sexual selection. J Evol Biol 2016; 29:676-89. [PMID: 26717252 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.12819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Models of speciation by sexual selection propose that male-female coevolution leads to the rapid evolution of behavioural reproductive isolation. Here, we compare the strength of behavioural isolation to ecological isolation, gametic incompatibility and hybrid inviability in a group of dichromatic stream fishes. In addition, we examine whether any of these individual barriers, or a combined measure of total isolation, is predicted by body shape differences, male colour differences, environmental differences or genetic distance. Behavioural isolation reaches the highest values of any barrier and is significantly greater than ecological isolation. No individual reproductive barrier is associated with any of the predictor variables. However, marginally significant relationships between male colour and body shape differences with ecological and behavioural isolation are discussed. Differences in male colour and body shape predict total reproductive isolation between species; hierarchical partitioning of these two variables' effects suggests a stronger role for male colour differences. Together, these results suggest an important role for divergent sexual selection in darter speciation but raise new questions about the mechanisms of sexual selection at play and the role of male nuptial ornaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Martin
- Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - T C Mendelson
- Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
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29
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Ciccotto PJ, Mendelson TC. Phylogenetic Correlation Between Male Nuptial Color and Behavioral Responses to Color Across a Diverse and Colorful Genus of Freshwater Fish (
Etheostoma
spp., Teleostei: Percidae). Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tamra C. Mendelson
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Maryland Baltimore MD USA
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30
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Kniel N, Schmitz J, Witte K. Quality of public information matters in mate-choice copying in female zebra finches. Front Zool 2015; 12:26. [PMID: 26435729 PMCID: PMC4591742 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-015-0119-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mate-choice copying is a form of social learning in which an individual gains information about potential mates by observing conspecifics. However, it is still unknown what kind of information drives the decision of an individual to copy the mate choice of others. Among zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata castanotis), only females (not males) copy the mate choice of others. We tested female zebra finches in a binary choice test where they, first, could choose between two males of different phenotypes: one unadorned male and one male artificially adorned with a red feather on the forehead. After this mate-choice test, females could observe a single unadorned male and a pair of zebra finches, i.e. a wild-type female and her adorned mate. Pair interactions were either restricted to acoustic and visual communication (clear glass screen between pair mates) or acoustic communication alone (opaque screen between pair mates). After the observation period, females could again choose between new males of the two phenotypes in a second mate-choice test. RESULTS In experiments with a clear glass screen, time spent with the respective males changed between the two mate-choice tests, and females preferred adorned over unadorned males during the second mate-choice test. In experiments with an opaque screen, time spent with the respective males did not change between the two mate-choice tests, although females lost an initial preference for unadorned males. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that the quality of the received public information (visual and acoustic interaction of the observed pair) influences mate-choice copying in female zebra finches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kniel
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Institute of Biology, Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Schmitz
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Institute of Biology, Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
| | - Klaudia Witte
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Institute of Biology, Research Group of Ecology and Behavioral Biology, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2, 57068 Siegen, Germany
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31
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Zhou M, Loew ER, Fuller RC. Sexually asymmetric colour-based species discrimination in orangethroat darters. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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32
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Bossu CM, Near TJ. Ecological constraint and the evolution of sexual dichromatism in darters. Evolution 2015; 69:1219-31. [PMID: 25824960 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
It is not known how environmental pressures and sexual selection interact to influence the evolution of extravagant male traits. Sexual and natural selection are often viewed as antagonistic forces shaping the evolution of visual signals, where conspicuousness is favored by sexual selection and crypsis is favored by natural selection. Although typically investigated independently, the interaction between natural and sexual selection remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate whether sexual dichromatism evolves stochastically, independent from, or in concert with habitat use in darters, a species-rich lineage of North American freshwater fish. We find the evolution of sexual dichromatism is coupled to habitat use in darter species. Comparative analyses reveal that mid-water darter lineages exhibit a narrow distribution of dichromatism trait space surrounding a low optimum, suggesting a constraint imposed on the evolution of dichromatism, potentially through predator-mediated selection. Alternatively, the transition to benthic habitats coincides with greater variability in the levels of dichromatism that surround a higher optimum, likely due to relaxation of the predator-mediated selection and heterogeneous microhabitat dependent selection regimes. These results suggest a complex interaction of sexual selection with potentially two mechanisms of natural selection, predation and sensory drive, that influence the evolution of diverse male nuptial coloration in darters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christen M Bossu
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520.
| | - Thomas J Near
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06520
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33
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Kniel N, Dürler C, Hecht I, Heinbach V, Zimmermann L, Witte K. Novel mate preference through mate-choice copying in zebra finches: sexes differ. Behav Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/aru241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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34
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Puniamoorthy N. Behavioural barriers to reproduction may evolve faster than sexual morphology among populations of a dung fly (Sepsidae). Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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35
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Martin MD, Mendelson TC. Changes in sexual signals are greater than changes in ecological traits in a dichromatic group of fishes. Evolution 2014; 68:3618-28. [PMID: 25138537 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms by which phenotypic divergence occurs is central to speciation research. These mechanisms can be revealed by measuring differences in traits that are subject to different selection pressures; greater influence of different types of selection can be inferred from greater divergence in associated traits. Here, we address the potential roles of natural and sexual selection in promoting phenotypic divergence between species of snubnose darters by comparing differences in body shape, an ecologically relevant trait, and male color, a sexual signal. Body shape was measured using geometric morphometrics, and male color was measured using digital photography and visual system-dependent color values. Differences in male color are larger than differences in body shape across eight allopatric, phylogenetically independent species pairs. While this does not exclude the action of divergent natural selection, our results suggest a relatively more important role for sexual selection in promoting recent divergence in darters. Variation in the relative differences between male color and body shape across species pairs reflects the continuous nature of speciation mechanisms, ranging from ecological speciation to speciation by sexual selection alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, 21250.
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36
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Allen WL, Stevens M, Higham JP. Character displacement of Cercopithecini primate visual signals. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4266. [PMID: 24967517 PMCID: PMC4110701 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal visual signals have the potential to act as an isolating barrier to prevent interbreeding of populations through a role in species recognition. Within communities of competing species, species recognition signals are predicted to undergo character displacement, becoming more visually distinctive from each other, however this pattern has rarely been identified. Using computational face recognition algorithms to model primate face processing, we demonstrate that the face patterns of guenons (tribe: Cercopithecini) have evolved under selection to become more visually distinctive from those of other guenon species with whom they are sympatric. The relationship between the appearances of sympatric species suggests that distinguishing conspecifics from other guenon species has been a major driver of diversification in guenon face appearance. Visual signals that have undergone character displacement may have had an important role in the tribe’s radiation, keeping populations that became geographically separated reproductively isolated on secondary contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- William L Allen
- 1] Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA [2]
| | - Martin Stevens
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - James P Higham
- Department of Anthropology, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA
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37
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Zhou M, Johnson AM, Fuller RC. Patterns of Male Breeding Color Variation Differ across Species, Populations, and Body Size in Rainbow and Orangethroat Darters. COPEIA 2014. [DOI: 10.1643/ci-12-103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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38
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Zhou M, Fuller RC. Reproductive isolation between two darter species is enhanced and asymmetric in sympatry. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2014; 84:1389-1400. [PMID: 24724945 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Robust reproductive isolation was found between the rainbow darter Etheostoma caeruleum and the orangethroat darter Etheostoma spectabile, as more offspring were produced when conspecific males and females were crossed as compared with heterospecific crosses. Furthermore, fewer eggs resulted from heterospecific crosses involving sympatric E. spectabile females than those using allopatric E. spectabile females, while a similar pattern was not observed in heterospecific crosses using E. caeruleum females. These results suggest that reinforcement, i.e. selection for pre-zygotic reproductive barriers driven by reduced hybrid fitness, may have contributed to the evolution and maintenance of reproductive barriers between these potentially hybridizing species in sympatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zhou
- Shelford Vivarium, 606 E. Healey St., Champaign, IL 61820, U.S.A
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Martin MD, Mendelson TC. Incomplete behavioural isolation and asymmetric female preference in darter sister species (Percidae: Etheostoma). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2013; 83:1371-1380. [PMID: 24580670 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this study, female preferences and behavioural isolation were estimated in a pair of allopatric sister species, Etheostoma duryi and Etheostoma flavum. Dichotomous mate preference trials were conducted to determine whether females prefer to associate with conspecific over heterospecific males and free-spawning assays were conducted to determine whether those preferences translated into behavioural isolation. Dichotomous mate choice trials revealed asymmetric female preference, as female E. flavum preferred conspecific males, whereas female E. duryi showed no preference. Free-spawning assays indicated that behavioural isolation remains incomplete between E. duryi and E. flavum (IB = 0·19). In addition to female mating preferences, male behaviour also appeared to influence mating outcomes as male E. flavum consistently courted conspecific females more often in free-spawning assays whereas male E. duryi did not. The data therefore suggest that despite marked divergence in male nuptial colour, divergence in female preferences between these species may not be sufficient to maintain species boundaries upon secondary contact. These results contrast with similar work in a sympatric darter species pair and may be explained by considering the contributions of reinforcement and differences in colour pattern as well as colour value.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D Martin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 21250, U.S.A
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Williams TH, Mendelson TC. Quantifying Reproductive Barriers in a Sympatric Pair of Darter Species. Evol Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-013-9259-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Williams TH, Gumm JM, Mendelson TC. Sexual selection acting on a speciation trait in darters (Percidae: Etheostoma). Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Ciccotto PJ, Gumm JM, Mendelson TC. Male Association Preference for Conspecifics in the Redband Darter,Etheostoma luteovinctum(Teleostei: Percidae) Based on Visual Cues. COPEIA 2013. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-12-056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Bossu CM, Near TJ. Characterization of a contemporaneous hybrid zone between two darter species (Etheostoma bison and E. caeruleum) in the Buffalo River System. Genetica 2013; 141:75-88. [DOI: 10.1007/s10709-013-9707-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Signal Divergence is Correlated with Genetic Distance and not Environmental Differences in Darters (Percidae: Etheostoma). Evol Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-012-9179-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Differences in spectral sensitivity within and among species of darters (genus Etheostoma). Vision Res 2012; 55:19-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2011.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Revised: 12/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Williams TH, Mendelson TC. Female preference for male coloration may explain behavioural isolation in sympatric darters. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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