Communications Biology (Jul 2021)

Adaptive divergence and post-zygotic barriers to gene flow between sympatric populations of a herbivorous mite

  • Ernesto Villacis-Perez,
  • Simon Snoeck,
  • Andre H. Kurlovs,
  • Richard M. Clark,
  • Johannes A. J. Breeuwer,
  • Thomas Van Leeuwen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02380-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

Read online

Villacis-Perez et al. describe the existence of and the mechanisms sustaining a host race of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae, which was previously regarded as a generalist. Here, the authors identify a specialist host race exhibiting reproductive incompatibility with sympatric generalist populations, as well as significant differences in host performance.