On the Origin of Species by Natural and Sexual Selection

[Borbi]

van Doorn, S. G., Edelaar, P., Weissing, F. J., On the Origin of Species by Natural and Sexual Selection, Science, 2009, DOI: 10.1126/science.1181661.

Abstract:

Ecological speciation is considered an adaptive response to selection for local adaptation. However, besides suitable ecological conditions, the process requires assortative mating to protect the nascent species from homogenization by gene flow. By means of a simple model, we demonstrate that disruptive ecological selection favors the evolution of sexual preferences for ornaments that signal local adaptation. Such preferences induce assortative mating with respect to ecological characters and enhance the strength of disruptive selection. Natural and sexual selection thus work in concert to achieve local adaptation and reproductive isolation, even in the presence of substantial gene flow. The resulting speciation process ensues without the divergence of mating preferences, avoiding problems that have plagued previous models of speciation by sexual selection.

Cheers, Sandor

[racoll]

Great.

Anyone have a copy of this?

[grokefish]

Could someone please explain this a bit more simply?

[Carp37]

Could someone please explain this a bit more simply?

I believe it's suggesting that secondary sexual characteristics (colour patterns, body ornaments etc. e.g. birds of paradise, peacocks) are actually advertising a "fitness" for local conditions, and hence selection through females' choice of males with particular sexual characters is also driving "real" natural selection. The alternate view (to that stated in the passage) is that sexual selection is driven solely through female preference, and has little to do with natural selection based on environmental variables, but nevertheless is a selection driver.

[Jon]

Hey Rupert, I've got a copy.

[Suckermouth]

I wouldn't mind a copy myself.

[Jon]

Hey shin, PM me your email.