Pairing dynamics and the origin of species
Oscar Puebla1,*, Eldredge Bermingham1,2 and Frédéric Guichard2
Author Affiliations
1Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Apartado Postal 0843-03092, Panamá, República de Panamá
2Department of Biology, McGill University, 1205 Avenue Docteur Penfield, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 1B1
*Author for correspondence (oscar.puebla@mail.mcgill.ca).
Abstract
Whether sexual selection alone can drive the evolution of assortative mating in the presence of gene flow is a long-standing question in evolutionary biology. Here, we report a role for pairing dynamics of individuals when mate choice is mutual, which is sufficient for the evolution of assortative mating by sexual selection alone in the presence of gene flow. Through behavioural observation, individual-based simulation and population genetic analysis, we evaluate the pairing dynamics of coral reef fish in the genus Hypoplectrus (Serranidae), and the role these dynamics can play for the evolution of assortative mating. When mate choice is mutual and the stability of mating pairs is critical for reproductive success, the evolution of assortative mating in the presence of gene flow is not only possible, but is also a robust evolutionary outcome.
speciation, sexual selection, assortative mating, marine Hypoplectrus, matching
Received July 23, 2011.
Accepted August 31, 2011.
This journal is © 2011 The Royal Society
+++++
