Genomic signals of admixture and reinforcement between two closely
related species of European sepsid flies
Abstract
Interspecific gene flow by hybridization may weaken species barriers and
adaptive divergence, but can also initiate reinforcement of reproductive
isolation trough natural and sexual selection. The extent of
interspecific gene flow and its consequences for the initiation and
maintenance of species barriers in natural systems remain poorly
understood, however. To assess genome-wide patterns of gene flow between
the two closely related European dung fly species Sepsis cynipsea and
Sepsis neocynipsea (Diptera: Sepsidae), we tested for historical gene
flow with the aid of ABBA-BABA test using whole-genome resequencing data
from pooled DNA of male specimens originating from natural and
laboratory populations. We contrasted genome-wide variation in DNA
sequence differences between samples from sympatric populations of the
two species in France and Switzerland with that of interspecific
differences between pairs of samples involving allopatric populations
from Estonia and Italy. In the French Cevennes, we detected a relative
excess of DNA sequence identity, suggesting interspecific gene flow in
sympatry. In contrast, at two sites in Switzerland, we observed a
relative depletion of DNA sequence identity compatible with
reinforcement of species boundaries in sympatry. Our results suggest
that the species boundaries between S. cynipsea and S. neocynipsea in
Europe depend on the eco-geographic context.