Premating isolation is determined by larval rearing substrates in cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis. VIII. Mating success mediated by epicuticular hydrocarbons within and between isolated populations

We tested the hypothesis that intrademic sexual selection has caused sexual isolation between populations of geographically isolated populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis, and was mediated by epicuticular hydrocarbons (EHCs), contact pheromones in this system. Sexual selection and sexual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of evolutionary biology 2008-11, Vol.21 (6), p.1641-1652
Main Authors: ETGES, W.J, TRIPODI, A.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Animal populations
Animal reproduction
Animals
Cactaceae
cactus, cuticular hydrocarbons
desert
Drosophila - metabolism
Drosophila - physiology
Drosophila mojavensis
Evolutionary biology
Female
Hydrocarbons - metabolism
Insects
Larva - physiology
Male
Reproduction - physiology
Sex Attractants - metabolism
Sexual Behavior, Animal - physiology
sexual isolation
sexual selection
speciation
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Summary:We tested the hypothesis that intrademic sexual selection has caused sexual isolation between populations of geographically isolated populations of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis, and was mediated by epicuticular hydrocarbons (EHCs), contact pheromones in this system. Sexual selection and sexual isolation were estimated using a Baja California and mainland population by comparing the number of mated and unmated males and females in each of four pairwise population mating trials. EHC profiles were significantly different in mated and unmated males in the interdemic (Baja[female symbol] x Mainland[male symbol] and Mainland[female symbol] x Baja[male symbol]), but not the intrademic mating trials. A small number of EHCs was identified that best discriminated among mated and unmated males, mostly alkadienes with 34 and 37 carbons. Females showed population-specific preferences for male EHC profiles. However, EHC profiles between mated and unmated males in the intrademic mating trials were not significantly different, consistent with undetectable sexual selection estimated directly from numbers of copulating pairs vs. unmated adults. Thus, sexual isolation among populations was much stronger than sexual selection within these populations of D. mojavensis.
ISSN:1010-061X
1420-9101
DOI:10.1111/j.1420-9101.2008.01601.x