Abstract
Sympatric speciation was once thought most improbable, but careful study
of some systems, particularly the apple maggot (Rhagoletis pomonella)
and related Rhagoletis species has led to a re-evaluation of its
likelihood. Different species and host races in this clade of flies
often have highly specialized host preference, and along with frequent
evolutionary shifts to different fruit species between sister taxa,
there is a likely effect of the timing of adult emergence that follows
host fruiting phenology. This is known as “allochronic” isolation
(from the Greek, meaning “different timing”). This overview covers
recent discoveries by Inskeep et al. (2021) showing how allochrony is a
major factor in preventing gene flow between a pair of sister species of
Rhagoletis on different host fruits. Although the authors do not claim
to prove sympatric speciation, it does seem very likely, and the work
clearly underscores how readily host shifts via allochrony can aid
sympatric speciation.