Species divergence in field crickets: genetics, song, ecomorphology, and pre- and postzygotic isolation

Abstract

Studies that simultaneously estimate levels of species divergence in genetics, reproductive and ecological traits, and pre- and postzygotic isolation are relatively rare. Here we compare levels of divergence in three allopatric sister species of field crickets. We compare divergence in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, male song, female ovipositor length, levels of pre- and postzygotic isolation, and male versus female contributions to prezygotic isolation. Taken together, our data show the accumulation of a multitude of potential reproductive isolating barriers if secondary contact were to become established. Furthermore, ecological and behavioural prezygotic isolation appear significantly more advanced than postzygotic isolation, with prezygotic isolation due to female behaviour exceeding that due to male behaviour.