Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2011
Publisher
Evolution, Wiley-Blackwell Publishing
Abstract
Sympatric sister species are predicted to have greater divergence in reproductive traits than allopatric sister species, especially if mating system shifts, such as the evolution of self-fertilization, are more likely to originate within the geographic range of the outcrossing ancestor. We present evidence that supports this expectation-sympatric sister species in the monkeyflower genus, Mimulus, exhibit greater divergence in flower size than allopatric sister species. Additionally, we find that sympatric sister species are more likely to have one species with anthers that overtop their stigmas than allopatric sister species, suggesting that the evolution of automatic self-pollination may contribute to this pattern. Potential mechanisms underlying this pattern include reinforcement and a stepping stone model of parapatric speciation.
Recommended Citation
Dena L. Grossenbacher, Justen B. Whittall. Increased Floral Divergence in Sympatric Monkeyflowers. Evolution: International Journal of Organic Evolution, Volume 65, Number 9 (September 2011), pp. 2712-2718
Sponsorship
Funding was provided by a graduate fellowship from the Center for Population Biology at UC Davis (DLG), a postdoctoral fellowship in Comparative Biology in the Section of Evolution and Ecology at UC Davis (JBW), and NSF-IPY 0733078 (JBW).
Comments
© The Authors 2011. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Evolution: International Journal of Organic Evolution, Volume 65, Number 9 (September 2011), pp. 2712-2718. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2011.01306.x