Abstracts » Zoology and wildlife conservation

Seeing red in speciation

Article Abstract:

Research into sticklebacks in Canadian lakes indicates that sexual selection can fuel speciation through the complicated interaction between ambient light levels in various parts of the lakes, male colouring and female reaction to light in different parts of the spectrum. Further work must address issues including whether preference is determined by the absorption spectrum of the photopigment that is sensitive to long wavelengths.

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Electrifying diversity

Article Abstract:

Sexual selection can favour conspicuous signals, but conspicuousness is risky, so natural selection by predation is often seen as a constraint in signal evolution. Philip Stoddard has argued that predation by electrolocating predators on gymnotiform electric fish has had a create force on the evolution of electric-organ discharges (EODs). He has shown that predation can favour the use of biphasic signals.

Research, Behavior, Predation (Biology)

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Divergent sexual selection enhances reproductive isolation in sticklebacks

Article Abstract:

Research among six populations of recently diverged threespine sticklebacks from four lakes in Canada supports significant predictions of the view that sexual selection drives speciation. It was established that divergent sexual selection produced by sensory drive plays a role in speciation.

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