Paper: Limiting cheaters in mutualism - evidence from hybridization between mutualist and cheater yucca moths

Limiting cheaters in mutualism: evidence from hybridization between
mutualist and cheater yucca moths

Kari A. Segraves A1, David M. Althoff A1, Olle Pellmyr (A1)
(A1) University of Idaho Department of Biological Sciences Moscow, ID
83844-3051, USA

Abstract:
Mutualisms are balanced antagonistic interactions where both species gain a
net benefit. Because mutualisms generate resources, they can be exploited by
individuals that reap the benefits of the interaction without paying any
cost. The presence of such 'cheaters' may have important consequences, yet
we are only beginning to understand how cheaters evolve from mutualists and
how their evolution may be curtailed within mutualistic lineages. The
yucca-yucca moth pollination mutualism is an excellent model in this context
as there have been two origins of cheating from within the yucca moth
lineage. We used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers to examine genetic
structure in a moth population where a cheater species is parapatric with a
resident pollinator. The results revealed extensive hybridization between
pollinators and cheaters. Hybrids were genetically intermediate to parental
populations, even though all individuals in this population had a pollinator
phenotype. The results suggest that mutualisms can be stable in the face of
introgression of cheater genes and that the ability of cheaters to invade a
given mutualism may be more limited than previously appreciated.

Abstract and full text links at The Royal Society
http://tinyurl.com/chhua

Comment:
Parapatric Model of speciation. Ranges of two differentiated forms are
contiguous and non-overlapping.
Models of Speciation:
http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BIO48/21.Models.HTML

"Distinguish between allopatric, sympatric, and parapatric speciation."
http://www.sciencecases.org/maggot_fly/maggot_fly_notes.asp

Posted by
Robert Karl Stonjek


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