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J Anim Ecol

Title:		Does divergent selection predict the evolution of mate preference and reproductive isolation in the tropical butterfly genus Melinaea (Nymphalidae: Ithomiini)?
Author(s):		McClure M; Mahrouche L; Houssin C; Monllor M; Le Poul Y; Frerot B; Furtos A; Elias M;
Address:		"Institut Systematique Evolution Biodiversite (ISYEB), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, MNHN, EPHE, Sorbonne Universite, Universite des Antilles, Paris, France. Centre Regional de Spectrometrie de Masse, Departement de Chimie, Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Faculty of Biology, LMU Munich, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany. Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement, IEES - INRA UMR 1392, Versailles Cedex, France"
Journal Title:		J Anim Ecol
Year:		2019
Volume:		20190408
Issue:		6
Page Number:		940 - 952
DOI:		10.1111/1365-2656.12975
ISSN/ISBN:		1365-2656 (Electronic) 0021-8790 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Many studies have shown that speciation can be facilitated when a trait under divergent selection also causes assortative mating. In Mullerian mimetic butterflies, a change in wing colour pattern can cause reproductive isolation. However, colour pattern divergence does not always lead to reproductive isolation. Understanding how divergent selection affects speciation requires identifying the mechanisms that promote mate preference and/or choosiness. This study addresses whether shifts in wing colour pattern drives mate preference and reproductive isolation in the tropical butterfly genus Melinaea (Nymphalidae: Ithomiini), and focuses on five taxa that form a speciation continuum, from subspecies to fully recognized species. Using genetic markers, wing colour pattern quantification, male pheromone characterization and behavioural assays of mating preference, we characterize the extent of genetic and phenotypic differentiation between taxa and compare it to the level of reproductive isolation. We show strong premating isolation between the closely related species M. satevis and M. marsaeus, in addition to genetic and phenotypic (colour pattern and pheromones) differentiation. By contrast, M. menophilus and M. marsaeus consist of pairs of subspecies that differ for colour pattern but that cannot be differentiated genetically. Pheromonal differentiation of subspecies was significant only for M. marsaeus, although most individuals were indistinguishable. Melinaea menophilus and M. marsaeus also differ in the strength of assortative mating, suggesting that mate preference has evolved only in M. marsaeus, consistent with selection against maladaptive offspring, as subspecific 'hybrids' of M. marsaeus have intermediate, non-mimetic colour patterns, unlike those of M. menophilus which display either parental phenotypes. We conclude that a shift in colour pattern per se is not sufficient for reproductive isolation, but rather, the evolution of assortative mating may be caused by selection against maladaptive intermediate phenotypes. This study suggests that mate preference and assortative mating evolve when adaptive, and that even in the early stages of divergence, reproductive isolation can be nearly complete due to mating preferences"
Keywords:		"Animals *Butterflies Genetic Speciation Male *Mating Preference, Animal Phenotype Reproduction Reproductive Isolation Wings, Animal assortative mating colour pattern hybrids magic traits mimicry reinforcement sexual selection speciation;"
Notes:		"MedlineMcClure, Melanie Mahrouche, Louiza Houssin, Celine Monllor, Monica Le Poul, Yann Frerot, Brigitte Furtos, Alexandra Elias, Marianne eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2019/03/16 J Anim Ecol. 2019 Jun; 88(6):940-952. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.12975. Epub 2019 Apr 8"