Journal Update 3: Complex patterns of differentiation and gene flow underly the divergence of aposematic phenotypes in Oophaga poison frogs

O. anchicayensis (a), O. lehmanni (c), and a putative hybrid poison frog (b)

Hybridization between divergent populations or species can provide important insight to evolution and speciation of populations. In this paper, the researchers stress on the importance of understanding genetic diversity and biological speciation process, and how this knowledge is useful in developing genetic conservation strategies. Using trait data, reduced‐representation genome sequences, and statistical population genomics, Ebersbach et al. look at the evolutionary outcomes and conservation implications of hybridization between critically endangered O. lehmanni its sister taxon, O. anchicayensis. 

Population genomics analysis shows that hybridization between O. lehmanni and O. anchicayensis gave rise to a completely new species with different colour pattern (shown as b in image above). The results suggest that the novel colour pattern phenotypes follow a mosaic evolutionary pattern, inherited from O. lehmanni and O. anchicayensis. Results from historical demographic inferences also suggest that this observation is more likely to have originated from long-term isolation of populations rather than recent human interference to their habitats due to pet trades. The researchers conclude that this case study shows that divergence via admixture as an evolutionary process might be more common than previously thought in nature.

Current conservation efforts focus mostly on established species and lack guidelines from hybrid species. Since this research shows that hybridization can be more common than previously known, population genomics studies on hybrid species can help policy administrators to better understand hybrid species and develop more appropriate conservation strategies. 

Ebersbach, J., Posso‐Terranova, A., Bogdanowicz, S., Gómez‐Díaz, M., García‐González, M.X., Bolívar‐García, W. and Andrés, J., 2020. Complex patterns of differentiation and gene flow underly the divergence of aposematic phenotypes in Oophaga poison frogs. Molecular Ecology.

Molecular Ecology Journal Update

Monica Cheung– April 27, 2020