RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 An olfactory receptor gene underlies reproductive isolation in perfume-collecting orchid bees
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 537423
DO 10.1101/537423
A1 P. Brand
A1 I. A. Hinojosa-Díaz
A1 R. Ayala
A1 M. Daigle
A1 C. L. Yurrita Obiols
A1 T. Eltz
A1 S. R. Ramírez
YR 2019
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/02/01/537423.abstract
AB Speciation is facilitated by the evolution of reproductive barriers that prevent or reduce hybridization among diverging lineages. However, the genetic mechanisms that control the evolution of reproductive barriers remain elusive, particularly in natural populations. We identify a gene associated with divergence in chemical courtship signaling in a pair of nascent orchid bee lineages. Male orchid bees collect perfume compounds from flowers and other sources to subsequently expose during courtship display, thereby conveying information on species identity. We show that these two lineages exhibit differentiated perfume blends and that this change is associated with the rapid evolution of a single odorant receptor gene. Our study suggests that reproductive isolation evolved through divergence of a major barrier gene involved in chemically mediated pre-mating isolation via genetic coupling.