10.5061/DRYAD.Q91BT
Otte, Tobias
Freie Universität Berlin
Hilker, Monika
Freie Universität Berlin
Geiselhardt, Sven
Freie Universität Berlin
Data from: Phenotypic plasticity of mate recognition systems prevents
sexual interference between two sympatric leaf beetle species
Dryad
dataset
2016
sensory drive
assortative mating
sexual isolation
phenotype matching
Phaedon cochleariae
Phaedon armoraciae
2016-06-01T13:28:57Z
2016-06-01T13:28:57Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12976
241562 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Maladaptive sexual interactions among heterospecific individuals (sexual
interference) can prevent the coexistence of animal species. Thus, the
avoidance of sexual interference by divergence of mate recognition systems
is crucial for a stable coexistence in sympatry. Mate recognition systems
are thought to be under tight genetic control. However, we demonstrate
that mate recognition systems of two closely related sympatric leaf beetle
species show a high level of host-induced phenotypic plasticity. Mate
choice in the mustard leaf beetles, Phaedon cochleariae and P. armoraciae,
is mediated by cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Divergent host plant use
causes a divergence of CHC phenotypes, whereas similar host use leads to
their convergence. Consequently, both species exhibit significant
behavioral isolation when they feed on alternative host species, but mate
randomly when using a common host. Thus, sexual interference between these
syntopic leaf beetles is prevented by host-induced phenotypic plasticity
rather than by genotypic divergence of mate recognition systems.
Cuticular hydrocarbon phenotypes of indivudual Phaedon beetlesRelative
composition of cuticular hydrocarbons (% total peak area) of individual
21-d-old beetles of Phaedon cochleariae and P. armoraciae. Beetles were
either reared on their native host plant species or on Brassica rapa ssp.
pekinensis.Otte et al 2016 Evolution.xlsx