The role of allochrony in speciation.

Abstract

The importance of sympatric speciation - the evolution of reproductive isolation between codistributed conspecific individuals - in generating biodiversity is highly controversial. Allochrony, or differences in breeding time (phenology) between conspecific individuals, has the potential to lead to reproductive isolation and therefore speciation. We critically review the literature to test the importance of allochronic speciation over the three timescales over which allochrony can occur - over the day, between seasons or between years - and explore what is known about genomic mechanisms underlying allochrony in the diverse taxa in which it is found. We found that allochrony can be a key contributor to reproductive isolation, especially if populations have little overlap in breeding time and therefore little potential for gene flow, and may sometimes be the initial or key driver of speciation. Shifts in phenology can be caused by several factors, including a new ecological opportunity, environmental change, or reinforcement. The underlying genomic basis of allochrony has been studied mostly in insects, highlighting the need for genomic studies in other taxa; nonetheless, results to date indicate that several cases of allochrony involve changes in circadian genes. This review provides the first comprehensive discussion of the role of allochrony in speciation and demonstrates that allochrony as a contributor to divergence may be more widespread than previously thought. Understanding genomic changes and adaptations allowing organisms to breed at new times may be key in the light of phenological changes required under climate change.